grow, cook, eat, arrange with Sarah Raven & friends – Details, episodes & analysis

Violas and pansies are among the more overlooked flower families, an outlook that Brenna Estrada’s new book hopes to change for the better.

She’s embraced their beauty as cut flowers throughout her gardening journey with Three Brothers Blooms, and in this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ she shares her tips for newcomers to bring their violas and pansies to life, whether in the garden or as part of stunning arrangements.

In this episode, discover:

• The enchanting world of pansies and violas, and how they can transform from humble bedding plants into show-stopping cut flowers 
• Brenna’s top tips for growing, harvesting, and pressing pansies, plus how to get the longest, most fragrant stems 
• Behind the scenes of Brenna’s one-of-a-kind flower book, sharing these overlooked floral treasures with the world

Order Brenna’s book - ‘Pansies’:

https://threebrothersblooms.com/pansies-book/

Products mentioned:

Viola cornuta 'Tiger Eye Red' F1

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/viola-cornuta-tiger-eye-red-f1

Black Beauty

Black Prince

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

As anyone in an area surrounded by larger animals might know, we’re entering a season where it’s harder to keep them at bay, and protect your handiwork from hungry mammals.

Sarah and Josie have been hard at work finding what’s most effective for keeping deer away, and in this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, share their best advice on how you can fend off any unwanted visits from large mammals.

In this episode, discover:

• Creative and practical ways to deter deer from your garden
• Which plants deer love to munch on, and the ones they tend to leave alone
• How drought, changing seasons, and garden design can influence deer behaviour

Products mentioned:

Phlox drummondii grandiflora 'Creme Brulee'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/phlox-drummondii-creme-brulee

Chard 'Bright Lights'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/chard-bright-lights

Kale 'Redbor' F1

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/kale-redbor-f1

Chicory 'Variegato di Castelfranco'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/chicory-variegato-di-castelfranco

Verbena bonariensis

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/verbena-bonariensis

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Pressing flowers can be one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to immortalise the joyous blooms in your garden, and it’s a craft close to Arthur Parkinson’s heart.

Arthur joins us on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ this week to share the history behind this timeless craft, and tips for beginners to press their own vibrant and beautiful flowers, bringing nature effortlessly into your home.

In this episode, discover:

• The fascinating history and heartfelt meaning behind the art of pressing flowers
• Arthur’s top tips for beginners, including which flowers are easiest to press and how to get the best results with simple materials
• Creative ways to combine flowers and foliage for natural, lively pressed arrangements that encapsulate the spirit of your garden
• Inspiring ideas for displaying your pressed flower creations, from handmade cards to luminous frames that bring a touch of nature indoors

Products mentioned:

Galanthus nivalis (Common Snowdrop)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/galanthus-nivalis

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

With spring racing onwards, the window in which to plant out your half-hardy seeds is upon us, and it’s a time that should spark joy in the imaginations of veg gardeners.

This week on grow, cook, eat, arrange, half-hardy vegetables take centre stage - Sarah takes us through the 6 must-have categories of veg, and shares an array of mouth-watering recipes perfect for the avid kitchen gardener.

In this episode, discover:

• Why this time of year perfectly suits the sowing of your half-hardy seeds
• Three stellar tomatoes, with a surprise favourite emerging from our most recent taste trials
• Recipes for all of Sarah’s top half-hardy veg, from the surprisingly savoury to the deliciously healthy
• Which edible flowers wonderfully complement courgettes in a fritto misto

Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg

Products mentioned:
Tomato 'Black Russian': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tomato-black-russian
Tomato 'Sungold': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tomato-sungold
Tomato 'Garnet': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tomato-garnet
Cucumber 'La Diva': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cucumber-la-diva
Pea 'Nairobi': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/pea-nairobi
Sweet Basil: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/basil-sweet
Courgette 'Romanesco': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/courgette-romanesco
Courgette 'Soleil' F1: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/courgette-soleil-f1
Courgette 'Bianca di Trieste': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/courgette-bianca-di-trieste
Tulip 'White Valley' syn 'Exotic Emperor': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-white-valley
Carrot 'Nantes 5': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/carrot-nantes-5

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Early May is on its way, bringing a fresh bloom of fragrant and fabulous flowers. It’s this abundance of impact and perfume on which Simon Lycett thrives.

His style of floristry is so striking, and one from which we cannot fail but to learn - Simon joins us to share his highlights of the spring season and how you can choose the perfect varieties to create your own stunning arrangements.

In this episode, discover:

• Simon’s recent endeavours with BBC Maestro, creating wonderful guides to decorating with flowers
• Our favourite garden & cut flowers for early May, with special mention for the absolute must-have Lily of the Valley
• A unique irrigation tip if your garden is overly abundant with slugs
• Simon’s top tips for home-grown floristry, and the standout performers he’s been drawn to in recent years

Connect with Simon: https://www.instagram.com/simonlycett

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Welcome back to our monthly Q&A podcast episodes for April, where Sarah and Josie answer questions from you, our lovely listeners.

In this month’s episode, Sarah turns her attention to sweet peas as she shares how deep to sow seeds, and how far apart to sow them based on our trials at Perch Hill. Also this month, we hear which plants are ideal for planting out in April, particularly those that bring instant impact. 

Sarah takes us through what seeds should be sown now, from the ornamental garden featuring erigeron to the kitchen garden with kales and flat leaf parsley.

Josie also shares a wonderful selection of seeds that are ideal for growing cut flowers in containers, with a lovely mention for the likes of the cosmos sonata series.

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

For any organic gardener, companion planting is one of the most essential, rewarding and productive ways to ward off bugs and fungal infections.

As the seasons are beginning to turn, it’s a wonderful time to recap the importance and joy of companion planting - Sarah is joined once again by Arthur Parkinson, where we revisit classic combinations, and share some unconventional pairings that you might not have considered.

In this episode, discover:

• The many reasons that companion planting is a fantastic alternative to chemical treatments in the garden
• Where and how to plant out tagetes for a reliable, much-loved source of protection against green and whitefly
• Which of the salvias are among our favourites to pair with roses, and when to plant them out
• The often-underestimated use of basil as a companion plant, making it a perfect partner to tomatoes in the kitchen and garden alike

Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg:
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg
Products mentioned:
Tagetes tenuifoila 'Red Gem': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tagetes-red-gem
Tagetes tenuifolia 'Tangerine Gem': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tagetes-tenuifolia-tangerine-gem
Tagetes patula 'Linnaeus Burning Embers':
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tagetes-linnaeus
Salvia x jamensis 'Nachtvlinder': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/salvia-x-jamensis-nachtvlinder
Sweet Basil: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/basil-sweet
Tagetes minuta: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tagetes-minuta

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

For those with a vegetable garden, The Pig’s offering is a source of inspiration and envy among many, all of which thrives under the watchful eye of Group Head Gardener, Ollie Hutson.

This week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ brings us a fantastic array of tips and recipes to take from Ollie’s expertise and bring into our own growing and cooking, drawing on a love of the natural world that’s spanned his entire life.

In this episode, discover:

• The Pig’s humble beginnings and the exciting expansion of its gorgeous hotels
• How Ollie, as Group Head Gardener, approaches the natural world and focuses on creating a ‘25 mile menu’
• What to sow in March and April to fill the ‘hungry gap’ in the kitchen garden
• Some of Ollie’s favourite recipes, taking inspiration from The Pig’s luxury menu

Ollie Huston: https://twitter.com/olliehutson85
The Pig: https://www.thepighotel.com/
Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Light levels are increasing and life in the garden is well and truly bustling, which makes this time of year such a joyful one for gardeners! 

Returning to our ‘Monthly Jobs’ series, this month’s episode sees Sarah & Josie share which flowers and edibles are perfect for sowing at this stage of the year, as well as how to revitalise your whopper pots once the Tulips go over.

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Knepp plays host to one of the most breathtaking rewilding projects in Britain, and from it we can take such inspiration to channel into our own green spaces.

Sharing the evolution of the project from its initial thousand species and how you can encourage biodiversity in your garden is Charlie Harpur - Knepp’s Head Gardener joins Sarah this week alongside her husband, Adam Nicolson.

In this episode, discover:

• How much or how little control you should impose on a garden that’s being rewilded
• Charlie’s work with Tom Stuart-Smith, Jekka McVicar and James Hitchmough
• Knepp’s work on balancing what each plant provides, not allowing dominant species to run rampant
• Why we at home should focus on succession throughout the year

Follow Charlie: https://www.instagram.com/charlie.harpur/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-harpur/
Knepp Rewilding Project: https://knepp.co.uk/rewilding/
Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg:
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest