• The grounding joy of gardening with Sarah Raven & Alex Clark – Episode 204
    Dec 26 2024

    For those who garden, whether on a windowsill or on a grander scale, it soon becomes a source of inspiration, passion and peace. A way to ground and find solace and, increasingly, a test of resilience and adaptability too.

    In a reversal of the usual ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ format, journalist and broadcaster Alex Clark turns guest question master to steer the conversation on Sarah’s journey into horticulture, what they both get from gardening, and the sensory delights that growing, plants and wildlife can bring into our lives.

    In this episode, discover:

    • How Alex came to gardening as a newfound passion
    • Incredible tips for newcomers from Sarah’s 30+ years’ of growing experience at Perch Hill
    • Sarah’s original career path, and how she found the love of flowers that she now shares with us all
    • Why pot gardening is ‘the great equaliser’ and a fantastic way for everyone to garden wherever they are

    Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
    Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
    Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

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    38 mins
  • Ottolenghi’s ultimate comfort food for Christmas (and beyond) with Tara Wigley and Verena Lochmuller - Episode 203
    Dec 19 2024

    Every Ottolenghi book is a gift, filled with a treasure trove of unique recipes and the latest, Comfort – perfectly timed for Christmas feasting – is no exception. In fact, by the end of this week’s episode you may well be rethinking your own festive menu…

    A self-confessed Ottolenghi fan, Sarah is joined Verena Lochmuller and Tara Wigley – two of the co-authors of Comfort, the latest Ottolenghi cook book – to share some of their favourite comfort food recipes including a delicious chocolate mousse inspired by the nostalgia of Terry’s Chocolate Orange, and a curry leaf dukkah guaranteed to jazz up any vegetable side dish.

    In this episode, discover:

    • The diverse culinary backgrounds of the Ottolenghi team, and how they've brought together the best comfort food recipes from around the world
    • How to transform traditional Christmas veg like Brussels sprouts into a slow-cooked flavour sensation
    • Nostalgic and novel dessert recipes for puddings to top off a delightful Christmas or New Year’s feast

    Ottolenghi Comfort:
    https://ottolenghi.co.uk/blogs/stories/ottolenghi-comfort

    Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
    Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
    Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

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    24 mins
  • How to craft a colourful, sustainable Christmas - Episode 202
    Dec 12 2024

    Christmas is one of the most joyous times of the year, and sustainability need not detract from that joy. With a little bit of forethought, we can all enjoy a colourful and creative celebration that respects our planet too.

    Sarah is a passionate advocate for sustainability, so in this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ she shares some of the most exciting, naturally sourced and low impact ways to decorate your home, festive table and tree, as well as a fantastic guide to creating your own compostable wreath.

    In this episode, discover:

    • Sustainable ways to create a festive wreath using foraged branches, moss and flowers from the garden
    • Whether real trees are a benefit to the environment over faux trees
    • Highlights from the winter garden to create beautiful decorations for the table and tree

    Products mentioned:

    Rosemary 'Foxtail': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/rosemary-foxtail

    Trachelospermum jasminoides:
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/trachelospermum-jasminoides

    Clematis & Wisteria:
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/clematis-and-wisteria

    Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Bannow Bay':
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/pittosporum-tenuifolium-bannow-bay

    Eucalyptus gunnii 'Azura':
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/eucalyptus-gunnii-azura

    Helleborus niger:
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/helleborus-niger

    Helleborus x ballardiae 'Maestro':
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/helleborus-x-ballardiae-maestro

    Lunaria annua:
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lunaria-annua

    Panicum miliaceum 'Violaceum':
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/panicum-violaceum

    Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation':
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-hollandicum-purple-sensation

    Allium cristophii:
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-cristophii

    Allium schubertii:
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-schubertii

    Briza maxima:
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/briza-maxima-greater-quaking-grass

    Chasmanthium latifolium:
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/chasmanthium-latifolium

    Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris:
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hydrangea-petiolaris

    Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
    Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
    Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

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    33 mins
  • Q&A: How do I make my mark on a new garden? What can I forage for wreath decorations? What’s the difference between part-shade and full sun? How can I start coppicing?
    Dec 10 2024

    Welcome to the December Q&A episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, where Sarah & Josie answer questions sent in by our lovely listeners each month.

    In this episode, Josie shares how best to create your dream garden from one that you’ve just moved into, and enlightens us on what constitutes part-shade and full-sun, so that we can plant our flowers where they’re best suited. Sarah also gives us some fantastic wreath decoration ideas which are foraged, therefore more sustainable, and lauds the benefits of coppicing.

    Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
    Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
    Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

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    11 mins
  • Perfect gift ideas from our Christmas range with Arthur Parkinson - Episode 201
    Dec 5 2024

    Christmas is only a few short weeks away, and while the garden may be winding down into winter mode, it’s the perfect time to spread joy to green-fingered friends with some well-considered gifts and elegant decorations.

    With Arthur joining Sarah this week for an exciting journey through the pages of our latest Christmas catalogue, Sarah explains why she’s more excited by this year’s festive range than ever before.

    In this episode, discover:

    • Irresistible decorations for the tree, with a few specific nature-themed baubles catching Arthur’s eye
    • Tried and tested favourites that deliver year upon year, like the ever-reliable Solar Allium Stake Lights
    • An increased focus on sustainability in the range, as well as living gifts like our Thyme & Rosemary in Terracotta Pots and Sarah’s favourite Double Paperwhites in a Leaf Trough

    Products mentioned:
    Ceramic Pomegranate Candleholder
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/ceramic-pomegranate-candleholder
    Star Sequinned Mini Glass Baubles
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/star-sequinned-mini-glass-baubles
    Gold and Silver Ribbed Baubles
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/gold-and-silver-ribbed-baubles
    Jade Gemstone Light String
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/jade-gemstone-lit-garland
    Solar Allium Stake
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/solar-allium-stake
    Sissinghurst Gold Painted Glass Candleholder
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sissinghurst-gold-painted-glass-candleholder
    Whopper Glass Fruit Decorations
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/whopper-glass-fruit-decorations
    Luxury Christmas Crackers
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/luxury-christmas-crackers
    As-if-from-Venice Green Glass Bauble
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/as-if-from-venice-green-glass-bauble
    Corcertina White Paper Garland
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/corcertina-white-paper-garland
    Bumblebee Glass Baubles
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/bumblebee-glass-baubles
    Thyme & Rosemary in Terracotta Pots
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/thyme-and-rosemary-in-terracotta-pots
    Galanthus nivalis (Common Snowdrop)
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/galanthus-nivalis
    Snowdrops in Terracotta Pots
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/snowdrops-in-terracotta-pots

    Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
    Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
    Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

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    31 mins
  • This month in your garden: December
    Dec 1 2024

    The garden winds down in December, but there’s still a few small jobs that’ll stand it in good stead for the year to come.

    In this monthly episode of ‘grow, cook, eat arrange’, Sarah takes us through which bulbs can be forced now, and an experimental watering technique, while Josie runs down the winter pruning plans and why it’s not too late to plant your tulips.

    Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
    Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
    Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

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    10 mins
  • Inspiring biodiversity on a grand scale with Dominic Rose - Episode 200
    Nov 28 2024

    Dominic Rose holds multiple roles; Chair of Sarah Raven, self-appointed ‘amateur gardener’, and leading advocate in bringing biodiversity to the residential gardens and back yards of Britain.

    In our 200th episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Dominic unpacks his ambitions for ‘Britain’s Biggest Living Garden’ – a community action project in North London’s Hampstead Garden Suburb – and explains how it might inspire others to support biodiversity in their own gardens at home, including the next generation of aspiring gardeners who’ll tend our green spaces in the future.

    In this episode, discover:

    • The catalyst for creating Britain’s Biggest Living Garden, and the ecologists, authors and volunteers who have guided its mission
    • How the benefits to biodiversity are already being measured
    • Dominic’s ambitions to inspire the next generation of gardeners, with biodiversity at the forefront

    Britain’s Biggest Living Garden: https://www.britainsbiggestlivinggarden.org/
    Wildlife Gardening Forum: https://www.wlgf.org/

    Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
    Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
    Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

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    27 mins
  • 10 indispensable tools to make gardening a joy with Josie Lewis - Episode 199
    Nov 21 2024

    Gardening is a diverse pursuit, and there’s no shortage of tools and kit that can help transform horticultural chores into an easier, more pleasurable experience.

    In this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Perch Hill’s Josie Lewis joins Sarah to look back over the gardening year and nominate the top 10 desert island tools that no gardener should live without.

    In this episode, discover:

    • Tools and containers perfect for making light work of planting and sowing
    • Sarah and Josie’s favourites vases to make floral arrangements easier to put together and more visually appealing
    • Sarah’s all-time favourite pots and trugs, with designs that have inspired products in our range

    Products mentioned:
    Zinc Harvesting Trug
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/zinc-harvesting-trug

    Niwaki Hori Hori Knife
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/niwaki-hori-hori-knife

    Niwaki s-type Hori Hori Knife and Sheath
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/niwaki-stype-hori-hori-knife-and-sheath

    Tub Planter
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tub-planter

    Hortiwool Hanging Basket Liner Set
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hortiwool-hanging-basket-liner-set

    Hortiwool Garden Pad
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hortiwool-garden-pad-pouch

    Sarah Raven Pruning Snips
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-raven-pruning-snips

    Sarah Raven Poachers Spade
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/poachers-spade

    Nero Vase
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/nero-vase

    Bumper Bulb Planter
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/bulb-planter

    Striped Ceramic Vases
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/striped-ceramic-vases

    Terracotta Pots
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/terracotta-pots

    Terracotta Scalloped Pots
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/terracotta-scalloped-pots

    Rustic Terracotta Pot
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/rustic-terracotta-pot

    Aged Terracotta Pots
    https://www.sarahraven.com/products/aged-terracotta-pots

    Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
    Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
    Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

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    26 mins