grow, cook, eat, arrange with Sarah Raven & friends
Published by Sarah Raven
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Welcome to grow, cook, eat, arrange, the weekly podcast from gardener, writer, teacher,and cook, Sarah Raven. Over the last two decades, Sarah has led the way by introducing a new kind of productive gardening which places emphasis on intense colour, sophistication, and achievability. Recorded at the beautiful Perch Hill Farm in Sussex, Sarah talks with special guests from across garden design, floristry, food, ecology, conservation, and more. Brimming with top tips and helpful hints, listen and learn how to create your most productive garden ever. You can find out more about the products discussed in each episode or get in touch by visiting the website: https://www.sarahraven.com/
When cancer enters a life, it carries a profound impact on the places in which you seek comfort, which is why the human-centred gardens at Maggie’s centres are so unbelievably important. In this powerful episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Sarah talks to Dame Laura Lee from Maggie’s, about how beautifully designed, garden-centred spaces are changing the experience of cancer care for patients and their families. In this episode, discover: How one simple question sparked the creation of Maggie’s Centres and a new idea of cancer support Why the design of a space can change how it feels to live with cancer What actually happens when someone walks from the hospital into a Maggie’s Centre How Maggie’s supports not only patients but their families and friends through the process The role of gardens and seasons as a gentle way to talk about hope, uncertainty, treatment, and even end of life 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
If you’ve ever let your vegetable garden wind down after summer, there’s a whole season you’re missing out on. This week on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Sarah breaks the year into two simple seasons and shows you exactly what to sow now so you can keep picking right through the grey months. From hardy salads and herbs to kales and chards, she shares 12 tried-and-tested crops that genuinely thrive in a UK winter. In this episode, discover: How to divide the gardening year into two simple seasons so you can plan for year-round harvests Which 12 tried-and-tested crops Sarah relies on for winter and early spring eating The exact sowing window for late-summer and early-autumn sowings, and why timing is crucial if you want strong plants going into winter Practical ways to cook and enjoy your winter veg, including Sarah’s wilted kale salad, and how to use herbs to brighten cold-season salads Products mentioned: Lettuce ‘Merveille de Quatre Saisons’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lettuce-merveille-de-quatre-saisons Mustard ‘Red Frills’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/mustard-red-frills Flat-leaf Parsley ‘Giant of Napoli’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/parsley-gigante-di-napoli Spinach ‘Medania’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/spinach-medania Chard: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/chard-lucullus Florence Fennel / Bulb Fennel (‘Romanesco’): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/florence-fennel-romanesco 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
Stepping out into the garden with a sketchbook in hand is a novel, powerful practice which, given time, can transform the way we look at plants we think that we know like the back of our hand. In this week’s podcast episode, Sarah is joined by artist and gardener Matthew Rice to explore how drawing becomes a kind of “recorded looking” that deepens our relationship with flowers and gardens - from choosing the right subjects and materials to capturing the feeling of a border in full swing. In this episode, discover: How drawing functions as “recorded looking”, helping deepen your relationship with your garden Which flowers and garden plants are most forgiving to draw as a beginner, and practical ways to get started with garden drawing Where Matthew Rice finds inspiration, from historic watercolourists to everyday details in his own greenhouse and garden Products mentioned: Snakeshead Fritillaries: sarahraven.com/products/fritillaria-meleagris Iris reticulata: sarahraven.com/products/iris-reticulata-blue-note Courgettes: sarahraven.com/products/courgette-soleil-f1 Mint: sarahraven.com/products/mint-moroccan Matthew Rice: https://www.instagram.com/matthewricewatercolours/ 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
The National Garden Scheme is a national treasure, raising millions for charities and giving access to gorgeous gardens for those who need them most. It’s a joy this week to be joined by former GP and National Garden Scheme CEO Dr Richard Claxton to explore how 3,200 gardens – from stately homes to hospital rooftops and new-build backyards – are transforming health and access to green space across the UK. In this episode, discover: How the National Garden Scheme quietly turns open gardens, tea and cake into £3.9 million a year for nursing and healthcare charities Why Richard Claxton believes gardening is one of the most powerful tools we have for long-term wellbeing How the NGS has evolved from stately homes and rectories to include community gardens, and small, relatable plot The story behind transformative projects like the intensive care roof garden at King’s College Hospital How balconies, new-build gardens and shared plots can play a vital role in our health and connection to nature Richard Claxton: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richardclaxtongardens/ The National Garden Scheme: https://www.instagram.com/nationalgardenscheme/ 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
We’ve learned from years of unpredictable weather patterns that the climate is demanding more of our plants than ever before, and while some struggle, others quietly thrive throughout it all. In this episode, Sarah is joined by Josie Lewis to explore which plants are quietly thriving through late frosts, heatwaves and torrential rain with a practical, down-to-earth shortlist of resilient perennials, shrubs, grasses and ground covers to help your garden cope with an increasingly unpredictable climate. In this episode, discover: How long-observed changes in weather are reshaping which plants can thrive in the garden Which resilient perennials, shrubs and grasses are coping best with “swivelly” weather, and why traits like tap roots and silver, hairy foliage matter Which much-loved plants are starting to struggle with mildew, black spot and stress Practical, down-to-earth techniques for helping your garden weather extremes conditions Products mentioned: Bluebells (Native British): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hyacinthoides-non-scripta-bluebells Eryngiums (Sea Hollies): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/eryngium-alpinum?srsltid=AfmBOopO4Ifg4rzCW2YkMWRcqgDXIRlXUqsM8bCbvKl2l68rTKaBJU4l Lavender: sarahraven.com/products/lavender-munstead Rosemary ‘Tuscan Blue’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/rosemary-tuscan-blue?srsltid=AfmBOoqw1cACNvCEpOmZsANIbxqDCLnJbnUK2yiqwuVl2Cvfo8ZtYvMy Origanum vulgare (Oregano): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/wild-marjoram?srsltid=AfmBOopv0ainVpy6LtMUQZNXz7j2uk0S8_o0MhkfGzThC64AF9eaF1l- Lychnis coronaria (Magenta): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lychnis-coronaria Stipa gigantea: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/stipa-gigantea Quaking Grasses (Briza species): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/briza-maxima-greater-quaking-grass?srsltid=AfmBOorNYwPg5Ia0BbbQNr1nHeMdY4zpd_RelqlM_oWx8Ukfkg6qb-Yp Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/leucanthemum-vulgaris?srsltid=AfmBOoqICKKwsHKsI_Az1IDEef6FTGyX2985v8xOzJWJz6vK2m39rH80 Salvia ‘Cerro Potosi’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/salvia-microphylla-cerro-potosi Salvia ‘Jezebel’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/salvia-jezebel?srsltid=AfmBOoo9zChqz4ORp4p1PjjxPn-FE0S9HtVs0nqaEzWg3SHc0sPNNdRE Salvia ‘Royal Bumble’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/salvia-x-jamensis-royal-bumble?srsltid=AfmBOorDeIIZi7sAEHWbPIlPsgg6Nvy-c1HUTkEyZNvgfHTKvBI0VLH5 Phlox ‘David’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/phlox-paniculata-david Phlox ‘Blue Paradise’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/phlox-paniculata-blue-paradise 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
What Pam Corbin doesn’t know about preserves, isn’t worth knowing. She’s an oracle on all things jam - hence her apt nickname, ‘Pam the Jam’. For the home cook, and for those with a kitchen garden worthy of capturing its fruity goodness, this week’s episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ with Pam is a perfect entry point to creating your own jams. She and Sarah share the secrets behind turning seasonal fruit and veg into beautiful jars of low‑sugar jams, compotes and chutneys that actually taste of the fruit, not just the sugar! In this episode, discover: How Pam moved from a tiny jam business in a converted pig unit to writing modern classics on preserves Why traditional jam recipes were so heavy on sugar, and how to safely make lower‑sugar, soft‑set jams today Practical, step‑by‑step tips for tricky fruits like strawberries and raspberries – including staging your jam, managing foam, and avoiding overcooked, rock‑hard results Simple ways to make more than just jam from your harvest, from apricot compotes and bottled cherries to clever uses for rhubarb, courgettes and runner beans How to choose and use basic preserving kit so you can confidently turn garden gluts into jars on your shelf Order ‘Pam the Jam: The Book of Preserves’: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pam-Jam-Book-Preserves-Corbin/dp/1408884496 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
There are few flowers more quintessential than the rose, and it’s safe to say that there’s a perfect rose for everyone’s tastes. This week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ delves into the world of roses, with someone whose love for a great rose knows no bounds: Josie Lewis. Whether you’re looking for a rose with a particular colour to combine with the beauty of your existing garden, or you’re more pressed by scent and structure, we hear which are the absolute best roses to grow, and how best to tend to them for healthy, reliable growth. In this episode, discover: Which varieties of Roses are the standout performers for each colour group The best ramblers, bloomers and climbers, from the huge, creamy white Wedding Day to the beautiful copper-brown Hot Chocolate How to make your roses last in water for maximum vase life 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
This Christmas might feel a while away, but if there’s one way to prepare right now for a more stunning and sustainable tree, it’s with alliums. Sarah’s love of alliums is well-documented on the podcast, but this week she’s recalling some of the most show-stopping varieties with which to decorate this Christmas, and the joys that they’ll bring as ‘colour baton-carriers’ in spring. In this episode, discover: Which alliums are perfect for bridging the gap between tulips going over and sweet peas emerging Some extravagant, statement-making varieties like the remarkably tall ‘Summer Drummer’ or sculptural shapes of ‘Magic’ Tips for preparing your alliums to sustainably decorate your tree this Christmas Products mentioned: Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-hollandicum-purple-sensation Allium cristophii https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-cristophii Allium nigrum https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-nigrum Allium stipitatum 'Summer Drummer' https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-stipitatum-summer-drummer Allium schubertii 'Magic' https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-schubertii-magic Allium jesdianum 'Purple Rain' https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-purple-rain 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
Biennials – plants which flower in their second year – may often be overlooked by us gardeners, but between their value for money, wonderful scent, and versatility they’re among the best plants to sow and grow in any garden. Sarah makes the case for brilliant biennials in this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, exploring how she came to appreciate their beauty, and which varieties are best for all aspects of your space. In this episode, discover: How the right mix of biennials can fill the awkward May gap with prolific blooms, all for the price of a seed packet The best early-flowering biennials, from fragrant wallflowers to the scented sweet rocket, Hesperis matronalis Moth-pollinated varieties with rich fragrance and velvety textures to create a pollinator paradise Products mentioned: Digitalis purpurea 'Sutton's Apricot' https://www.sarahraven.com/products/digitalis-purpurea-suttons-apricot Digitalis purpurea f. albiflora https://www.sarahraven.com/products/digitalis-purpurea-alba Malope trifida 'Vulcan' https://www.sarahraven.com/products/malope-trifida-vulcan Lunaria annua https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lunaria-annua Iceland poppy (Papaver nudicaule) https://www.sarahraven.com/products/papaver-nudicaule-champagne-bubbles-mix-f1 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
Every garden space deserves a chance to be transformed into a beautiful space which breathes, rather than constricts, and Pollyanna Wilkinson is a master of such designs. Polly joins Sarah this week to share her no‑nonsense methods for transforming everything from boxy new‑build plots to tired, inherited gardens into layered, soulful spaces. In this episode, discover: How to think like a garden designer, surveying, shaping and structuring spaces before you plant Practical ways to transform new‑build and small gardens, or refresh an existing garden Guidance on choosing materials and finishes that feel good underfoot, are easy to maintain, and will age beautifully over time. How to use colour and planting layers to create a soulful, wildlife‑friendly garden with interest through the seasons Products mentioned: Amelanchier lamarckii: sarahraven.com/products/amelanchier-lamarckii Lavender ‘Munstead’: sarahraven.com/products/lavender-munstead Nepeta x faassenii 'Kit Kat': sarahraven.com/products/nepeta-x-faassenii-kit-kat 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
Chelsea is upon us, and among the beauty of all the show gardens lies a very special offering from Arit Anderson and Parkinson’s UK. She’s planting with purpose in a garden which promises to reflect every Parkinson’s journey in a beautifully poignant way, and on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, she walks us through the planting ethos and careful design behind one of Main Avenue’s great sights for 2026. In this episode, discover: How Arit is reflecting her sister Julie’s Parkinson’s journey in a meaningful Chelsea Flower Show garden for Parkinson’s UK What Parkinson’s really is beyond the stereotypes, and why it’s so often misunderstood How thoughtful garden design can respond to real medical challenges Practical ideas for making any garden more accessible, sensory and restorative, whether or not you’re living with Parkinson’s The garden’s relocation to the John Radcliffe Hospital, and how it will serve the Parkinson’s community long after Chelsea Products mentioned: Digitalis purpurea ‘Alba’ (White Foxglove): sarahraven.com/products/digitalis-purpurea-alba 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
In this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Sarah Raven welcomes renowned garden designer Tom Stuart-Smith to uncover his visionary new garden for Tate Britain and how he’s reimagining it for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. They explore his bold, foliage-rich planting, ingenious water features, and a remarkable new memorial garden at Badminton that promises to be one of the RHS’s most ambitious show gardens yet. In this episode, discover: How Tom Stuart-Smith is transforming a neglected, concrete-dominated acre at Tate Britain into a biodiverse, exotic garden The creative and practical challenge of turning that large-scale design into a Chelsea Flower Show garden where every element is destined to be reused at Tate The bold, foliage-led planting palette Tom has chosen – from cycads and Persian lilac to euphorbias, aspidistras and shade-loving exotics How water, sculpture and planting come together, including a finely engineered water feature and a Barbara Hepworth sculpture from a national collection Episode Cover Photo Credit: Eva Nemeth. 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
Watch the full video episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/_T97COq6blM Throughout Mary Berry's life, the garden has played a charming role, from her wartime childhood plot to a brand-new garden started in her 80s - it’s an essential ingredient in her life. This week on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ Mary kindly joins us to explore a lifetime of gardening, how it’s inspired her new book, and how gardening can bring joy, structure and wellbeing at every stage of life. In this episode, discover: How Mary’s lifelong love of gardening began in her childhood and continues to shape her daily life Practical, gentle tips for spring gardening and successional planting How Mary approaches designing and maintaining a garden later in life, using evergreens, hedges and topiary for structure Everyday good habits in the garden, such as watering, deadheading, and keeping lawns neat Order Mary’s Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Gardening-Life-Mary-Berry/dp/0241726654 Products mentioned: Narcissus ‘Rijnveld’s Early Sensation’: sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-rijnvelds-early-sensation Narcissus ‘Silver Chimes’: sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-silver-chimes Narcissus ‘February Gold’: sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-february-gold Phlox drummondii ‘Blushing Bride’: sarahraven.com/products/phlox-drummondii-blushing-bride 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
Sissinghurst is one of the country’s crowning gems of National Trust gardens, and a place in which Adam was brought up, around the beauty curated by his grandparents. This week on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, we’re delving into the centuries of legacy which led to a spot perfect for Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson to create the poetic space we know and adore today, and how their vision is being revived today for generations to come. In this episode, discover: The remarkable story of how Vita Sackville-West turned a ruined Elizabethan courtyard house into one of the world’s most celebrated gardens How Sissinghurst evolved through centuries – from Renaissance palace to poetic family home and garden, and all in between The creative partnership between Vita and Harold Nicolson What makes the white garden so magical, from its glowing night-time palette to its scented, moth-pollinated plants How the newly reimagined Delos garden brings a Greek hillside to Kent, blending historical inspiration with modern design Products mentioned: Ammi majus: sarahraven.com/products/ammi-majus Ammi visnaga: sarahraven.com/products/ammi-visnaga Agrostemma githago 'Milas Snow Queen': sarahraven.com/products/agrostemma-githago-milas-snow-queen 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
The magic of growing your own food is hard to overstate, and while some lament the labour necessary, it takes far less time and space than many imagine. This week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ once again features the remarkable Huw Richards, fresh from the release of ‘How to Grow Food’ - his new book which dives into the detail of how anyone can grow a kitchen garden in real spaces, with a planting schedule that fits around busy lives. In this episode, discover: How Huw plans and plants to grow enough veg for a family of four on a half allotment in just a few hours a week Simple permaculture-inspired tricks for better germination What causes common problems like courgette fruits rotting and dropping off, and how you can fix them How to choose between longer crops and cut-and-come-again with limited space Huw’s must-sow crops for April, including squash, runner beans, cucumbers, and courgettes Episode Cover Photo Credit: Dorling Kindersley: Jason Ingram Products mentioned: Runner Bean 'Black Knight' https://www.sarahraven.com/products/runner-bean-black-knight Runner Bean 'White Lady' https://www.sarahraven.com/products/runner-bean-white-lady Nasturtium 'Tip Top Mix' (Tropaeolum majus) https://www.sarahraven.com/products/nasturtium-tip-top-mix Nasturtium 'Ladybird Rose' (Tropaeolum minus) https://www.sarahraven.com/products/nasturtium-ladybird-rose Borago officinalis (Borage) https://www.sarahraven.com/products/borago-officinalis 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
The sunnier months in April present a fresh opportunity for gardeners to sow some of the fastest-germinating seedlings, bringing a productive garden closer than you might think. We return to Josie Lewis this week for an episode all about what she’s sowing in mid-April, how to prick out and pot on seedlings, and the simple tricks they use to keep plants growing hard and healthy at this most promising time of year. In this episode, discover: How to prick out seedlings confidently, and when to do it for promoting strong growth Practical ways to get more from your dahlias, such as turning pinched tips into new plants with simple cuttings Why mid‑April is the ideal time to sow cosmos and zinnias, and how to avoid the common mistake of starting them too early Step‑by‑step tips for taking cuttings of pelargoniums, salvias and other favourites Two slightly different but complementary approaches to hardening off plants, and how to choose a method that works for your own garden 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
There’s something uniquely calming about a garden washed in cool pastels – soft tones that feel like frosty mornings and freshly laundered linen. Moving us onto the 4th and final palette in Sarah’s colour system, we explore the washed palette in this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’. She takes you through the colour combinations, productive plant families, and tips for crafting a soothing, contemplative feeling in your garden. In this episode, discover: How to use Sarah’s washed colour palette of cool pastels to create a calm, clean and harmonious garden Which plant families and specific varieties reliably deliver this palette from late winter to autumn How to plan colour through the year in two‑month blocks, ensuring there’s always something in flower without breaking the palette Simple design techniques to avoid jarring colour clashes Why sticking to a coherent palette can make your garden feel both deeply restful and quietly bold Products mentioned: Narcissus ‘Polar Hunter’: sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-polar-hunter Narcissus ‘Avalanche’: sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-avalanche Narcissus ‘Thalia’: sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-thalia Narcissus ‘Actaea’: sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-actaea Tulip ‘White Triumphator’: sarahraven.com/products/tulip-white-triumphator Tulip ‘Purissima’: sarahraven.com/products/tulip-purissima Fritillaria acmopetala (likely "Green Eyes"): sarahraven.com/products/fritillaria-acmopetala Sweet Pea ‘Nimbus’: sarahraven.com/products/sweet-pea-nimbus Nicotiana sylvestris: sarahraven.com/products/nicotiana-sylvestris Nicotiana alata ‘Grandiflora’: sarahraven.com/products/nicotiana-alata-grandiflora 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
A comforting garden can feel as soft and familiar as your favourite cashmere jumper, and in this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Sarah shares a palette which achieves exactly this feeling. In the latest of the Colour Guide Mini Series episodes, Sarah shares how to create a mood using the comforting palette, the key plant families and varieties, plus how to sequence them through the seasons, so your borders feel gentle and soothing from early spring to late autumn. In this episode, discover: How to create a warm, comforting colour palette in your garden using soft pastels like café au lait, peach, putty pink and ivory Specific plant families and varieties that deliver these soothing tones A clear, season-by-season planting framework so your comforting palette runs from early spring right through to late autumn Products mentioned: Narcissus ‘Precocious’: sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-precocious Antirrhinum ‘Appleblossom’: sarahraven.com/products/antirrhinum-majus-appleblossom Cosmos ‘Apricotta’: sarahraven.com/products/cosmos-bipinnatus-apricotta Calendula ‘Sunset Buff’: sarahraven.com/products/calendula-officinalis-sunset-buff Phlox drummondii ‘Cherry Caramel’: sarahraven.com/products/phlox-drummondii-cherry-caramel Zinnia ‘Queeny Lime Orange’: sarahraven.com/products/zinnia-elegans-queeny-lime-orange Dahlia ‘Break Out’: sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-break-out 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 many, the garden should be a peaceful place where its colours invite you in and envelop you in their earthy tones, and that’s the role of Sarah Raven’s velvet palette. In this episode of the Colour Guide Mini Series, Sarah moves us to her next, and perhaps favourite palette of the four. She talks through their calming colours, and the flower families that help keep that tranquility in your garden through a reliable planting succession. In this episode, discover: How to create a velvet colour palette in your garden using deep crimsons, golds, bronzes and inky purples that feel cosy and enveloping Which reliable plant families and standout varieties deliver these rich, velvety tones How to plan succession planting so the velvet palette runs from late winter and early spring right through to autumn Practical ideas from Sarah’s own garden on combining colour and texture to create a sense of haven, enclosure and warmth outdoors Products mentioned: Tulip ‘Palmyra’: sarahraven.com/products/tulip-palmyra Tulip ‘Ridgedale’: sarahraven.com/products/tulip-ridgedale Tulip ‘Hermitage’: sarahraven.com/products/tulip-hermitage Tulip ‘Cairo’ (Copex Cairo): sarahraven.com/products/tulip-copex-cairo Tulip ‘Belleville’ (Bellville): sarahraven.com/products/tulip-bellville Tulip ‘Dom Pedro’: sarahraven.com/products/tulip-dom-pedro Amaranthus ‘Coral Fountain’: sarahraven.com/products/amaranthus-caudatus-coral-fountain Dahlia ‘Verrone's Obsidian’ (Veronese Obsidian): sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-verrones-obsidian Dahlia ‘Rip City’: sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-rip-city Dahlia ‘Sarah Raven’: sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-sarah-raven Dahlia ‘Molly Raven’: sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-molly-raven Dahlia ‘Schipper's Bronze’: sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-schippers-bronze Antirrhinum ‘Liberty Classic Crimson’: sarahraven.com/products/antirrhinum-f1-liberty-classic-crimson 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
Seeds sown in March are the great givers of colour and fragrance in a cutting garden or container, from spring right through to autumn. This week, Sarah is joined by Josie Lewis to walk through 12 of the most trusted plants to sow now, how to fill your beds, pots and vases, and feed the birds from a single month’s sowing. In this episode, discover: Practical techniques for handling both big and dust-fine seeds, including when to sow in trays and when to direct sow Specific tips for making the most of tricky or easily-flopped favourites like cerinthe, amaranth and poppies, so they thrive both in the garden and in the vase How to get more from each plant – from cut-and-come-again grasses to edible flowers and home-made calendula remedies How to plan your March sowing so it supports wildlife, with seed heads that feed birds well into winter Products mentioned: Cerinthe major 'Kiwi Blue' https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cerinthe-major-kiwi-blue Amaranthus ‘Hot Biscuits’ https://www.sarahraven.com/products/amaranthus-hot-biscuits Amaranthus ‘Coral Fountain’ https://www.sarahraven.com/products/amaranthus-caudatus-coral-fountain Moluccella / Bells of Ireland https://www.sarahraven.com/products/moluccella-laevis Antirrhinum ‘Giant White’ https://www.sarahraven.com/products/antirrhinum-giant-white Antirrhinum ‘Liberty Crimson’ (Liberty Classic Crimson F1) https://www.sarahraven.com/products/antirrhinum-f1-liberty-classic-crimson Antirrhinum ‘Apple Blossom’ https://www.sarahraven.com/products/antirrhinum-majus-appleblossom Antirrhinum majus 'Sonnet Burgundy' F1 https://www.sarahraven.com/products/antirrhinum-sonnet-burgundy Antirrhinum majus 'Sonnet Orange Scarlet' F1 https://www.sarahraven.com/products/antirrhinum-sonnet-orange-scarlet Antirrhinum majus 'Sonnet Carmine' F1 https://www.sarahraven.com/products/antirrhinum-sonnet-carmine Cobaea (Cup-and-saucer vine) https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cobaea-scandens-purple Poppy ‘Amazing Grey’ https://www.sarahraven.com/products/papaver-rhoeas-amazing-grey Poppy ‘Mother of Pearl’ https://www.sarahraven.com/products/papaver-rhoeas-mother-of-pearl Black Single Papaver somniferum (Opium Poppy) https://www.sarahraven.com/products/papaver-somniferum-black-single 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
