grow, cook, eat, arrange with Sarah Raven & friends

Every year at Perch Hill we trial some of the most promising flower families in search of the most spectacular, scented, showstopping varieties, and in this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ we’re bringing you a sneak peek. Hear from Sarah & Arthur about some of the best performers and most dazzling prospects, from the prolific Rudbeckias in the Enchanted series to the gorgeously aromatic Swee...

Tomatoes have proven to be one of the most versatile edibles you can grow, and very few people have such unbridled passion for them as Claire Thomson and Sarah Raven. Claire’s latest book - aptly named ‘Tomato’ - contains a staggering number of recipes, and the best-selling author joins Sarah to discuss her favourite, delicious tomato-based dishes, innovative ways in which to cook them, and stando...

Wildflowers can be made to absolutely flourish with low maintenance for an overwhelming wow-factor, and a meadow can become a wonderful source of nectar for our pollinators. The early Autumn months open the perfect window to sow a wildflower meadow, which can have a spot in your garden teeming with wildlife. This week on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ discover the perfect floral combinations to breath...

Alliums possess a bombastic silhouette that’s nothing short of iconic, and make a perfect addition to borders. While we’ve covered Alliums before on the podcast, there are a number of brand new varieties to rekindle your passion for them. In this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Sarah & Arthur shine a spotlight on the recent newcomers to the family, from the shuttlecock-like ‘Magic’ to the t...

Heatwaves are an ever growing phenomenon, and not a welcome one for those of us trying to keep our gardens teeming with life and colours beyond the browns of dehydrated grassland. In a timely bonus episode, Sarah’s bringing us five actions we can all take to help our plants beat the heat, from reusing water in the face of potential hosepipe bans, to releasing water slower with the help of solution...

Summer months are waning, and the prospect of darker evenings should encourage us all to bring light, colour and beauty into our gardens throughout the autumn season. That brings a perfect opportunity to dive into the autumn catalogue, and highlight the new varieties and beloved favourites which promise to enrich your space, whether bathing it in strong hues with some of the new Tulips, or filling...

Low maintenance, cheap and easy potted plants are a wonderful entry point for even the most inexperienced gardeners, and there are plenty of options for a rapid burst of colour. Whether it’s the Hollyhocks that thrive in the meanest ground, or Californian Poppies which are among the quickest to grow into their extravagant form, you’re bound to find a new favourite potted flower in this week’s epis...

There is an understated power in herbs to elevate a plain seafood dish into a truly extraordinary experience, and using as many herbs in his dishes for exactly this reason is the renowned restaurateur and writer, Mitch Tonks. Between Fish Works and Rockfish he’s demonstrated his expertise in the finest seafood, and shares an abundance of recipes for you to try with your home grown herbs. We also d...

It’s the season for entertaining with dinner parties and garden gatherings, and there are so many ways that flowers can punctuate your occasion with immeasurable glamour. Whether you’re creating decorations for the centrepiece of a table, or using petals as a wonderful, frugal alternative to confetti, Sarah & Arthur have some essential tips for impressing your guests this summer, plus a delici...

Growing your own veg brings a refreshing seasonality to dishes that forms part of Amelia Freer’s passionate dedication to making better nutrition easier for everyone. A brilliant Nutritionist, Author and even formerly a PA to Prince Charles, Amelia brings her uplifting, empathetic approach around changing our food habits to this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’. In this episode, discover: A new,...

Many of us gain so much of our knowledge of farming, livestock and produce from all-important city farms, much like the wonderful Mudchute Farm in London, run diligently by fantastic Farm Manager Tom Davis. Tom has led Mudchute to achieving the Rare Breeds Survival Trust approval, teaches 20-25k kids each and every year, and notably takes sheep to graze on the royal parks. We’ll be hearing about k...

It’s the time of year to sow biennials, and while they flower in their second year, the artisanal avalanche of colour that they bring is well worth the wait.  Many of the gorgeous biennials that earn a place as Sarah & Arthur’s favourites will self-sow too, so join us on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ to venture through these beautiful biennials, from the subtle, fragrant Pillowtalk to more eye ca...

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We’re all becoming well aware of the huge impact that bees and other lovely pollinators have on our planet, which is wonderful news for local beekeepers & artisan honey producers like Epping Good Honey. Ian & Clare Nichols’ passion for all bee species spills out into all they do, and they join Arthur to share how small changes like growing herbs or providing water for bees gives a great le...

The season of summer parties and sunset gatherings has arrived, and cut flowers make a marvellous centrepiece to any room, so it’s a lovely time to consider how to make them last in a vase. Conditioning your cut flowers needn’t be taxing, as Sarah & Arthur bring their best tips for making your table arrangements last, from searing stem ends to swaddling and creating a sugar syrup perfect for l...

In the British Isles we’ve lost 90% of our wetlands in the past 100 years, but designing your garden with pond space opens up the opportunity to bring the regal beauty of Waterlilies into your garden. Waterside Nursery exhibits their extraordinary displays at Chelsea Flower Show, and you’ll struggle to find a greater advocate for the Water Lily than Linda Smith.  Arthur chats to Linda this week on...

Fantastic for bees, great over a salad and wonderful as confetti, it’s no wonder Dahlias are some of our favourite plants around. While it might be too late for planting Dahlia tubers, the instant beauty of potted varieties is essential if you’re looking to bring a rich palette of colour into your garden. Tune in to ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ for a look at the ready-potted Dahlias perfect for flor...

Willow Crossley began her habit of pleasing the eyes with a start in fashion, but it’s her show stopping work with flowers that’s encouraging us all to embrace the enrichment that flowers can bring. It’s a delight to host Willow on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, where we discuss a charming trick to breathe life into even supermarket Tulips, her favourite Dahlias & Tulips, and how Willow’s Instagr...

Today marks the all-important World Bee Day, a chance to acknowledge their role in so much of our essential daily lives, and time to consider how we can help them thrive. We’re celebrating World Bee Day this year on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ by bringing some top tips on creating a natural haven for these fuzzy friends, which flowers are best for visual flair and feeding bees, plus some fantastic...

Even with the welcome summer months so close round the corner, it’s not too late to sow or plant seeds that’ll bring swathes of bees and provide you a delightfully productive cut flower. Of the half hardy annuals, Cosmos & Zinnias are among Sarah & Arthur’s favourites, so on this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ we lust over the richness of Cosmos Rubenza, the bold Zinnia ‘Queeny Lime’ se...

Summer and Autumn are getting longer, which brings us more time to fill our gardens with wonderful edibles and their delightful accompanying scents. From the reliably sweet Sungold Tomato to a favourite of Arthur’s, Lemon Verbena, you’re bound to discover an edible variety in episode 66 of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ that’ll put the delicious finishing touches on one of Sarah’s many recipes this we...

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at Rookery Farm Nursery, and the indomitable David Robinson has been a major piece of the puzzle for over a decade. The land has been in David’s family for over 100 years, so it’s a delight to delve into that rich history on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, where we learn how the nursery began, and some of the sustainable practices that might inspire y...

This week we’re delighted to bring you a special episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ on location at our spectacular nursery in Lincolnshire!  It’s Arthur’s first time here, and what a perfect time to chat about seedlings, the care they need to reach their growing potential, how we tend to mother stock, and the most exciting varieties that Sarah’s looking forward to bringing into a future catalog...

The Great Pottery Throw Down has brought a lovely dose of attention to the art of pottery and the city of Stoke, and making the most of that with her dazzling designs is an old friend of Sarah’s - Emma Bridgewater. Emma’s story and passion for channelling the gorgeous beauty of our gardens into her work is part of what makes her range so charming, and you’re bound to feel inspired to get creative...

One of the most vivid ways to uncover the culture and history of a place is through a cookbook, which is part of the charm behind Falastin - Sami Tamimi & Tara Wigley’s lovely book of Palestinian cuisine. Sami & Tara join us on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ to share the story behind their desire to focus on Palestinian recipes, tell tales from their travels through the area where affection is...