Andy Monaghan’s background as a dancer alongside his gorgeous work with flowers gives him such a unique, inspiring outlook on crafting a horticultural style.Andy joins Arthur Parkinson this week on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ as he shares the combined influence of the two creative careers, how they guide his gardening on his beautiful land in Hampshire, and the joys of bringing homegrown bouquets to the Royal Opera House.In this episode, discover:The creative nature of both Andy’s careers, and...

Autumn is an exciting moment where your bulb planting now starts the colourful symphony that emerges the following spring, so it’s a perfect time to start getting creative.Head Gardener Josie Lewis joins Sarah on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ to share her top list of bulbs to plant this autumn, how many bulbs fill out your space, and we run through the art of the bulb lasagne.In this episode, discover:The irresistibly scented tulips like ‘Orca’ and ‘Hermitage’ which bring with them a splash of c...

When Ed Morrison first discovered the joys of gardening, it spurred him and a number of friends to share that love with the world through what we know now as Roots.In this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Ed takes us through his fascinating horticultural journey, how we can all stand to learn from his no-dig no-chemical approach, and how anyone can be inspired to start growing at any scale.In this episode, discover:How Ed, like so many of us, captured the joyous spark of gardening durin...

Welcome to the August Q&A episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, where Sarah & Josie share their top tips based on your questions every month.For August, we hear how pests can be held at bay from your precious dahlias, and advice for treating the leaves such that they’re looking grand late into the summer season.Sarah also shares some inspiring ideas for giving your garden structure in a year’s time, Josie recalls our best advice for preventing and treating mildew, plus we look at the...

Jemima Bowker’s journey into urban gardening is one with which many of us can relate, and having moved into a new space, we’ve a number of wonderful tips for balcony gardeners.This week on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ Jemima joins Sarah to share how she’s made the most of both a North and South facing balcony, with inspiring ideas for varieties to thrive in any urban space.In this episode, discover:Jemima’s South-facing balcony, exhibiting the glorious colours of Geum ‘Scarlet Tempest’ and Salv...

Just as relay racers pass a baton throughout their race, the many flowers in your garden pass a similar baton between themselves to bring year-round beauty.Plan your year perfectly with Sarah and Josie’s top plants to inspire and captivate, each with their own month in which to shine - learn more as we look at how to nail your succession planning in this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’.In this episode, discover:What makes honesty such an invaluable cut flower and filler around the early...

Many of us take August as a chance to go away on holiday, which makes this month’s jobs in the garden so vital for keeping life in your flowers while you’re away.This month, Sarah and Josie share just how much watering you should be doing, particularly for thirsty pots, the attention you should give to your borders, cuttings that need taking from cut and come again flowers, and how to build your own organic pest control.Get in touch: [email protected] on the Sarah Raven Website: http://...

For the lifestyles that many of us lead, low-maintenance and high performing plants are the perfect combination, for which pelargoniums are an absolute must-have.Sarah Raven & Arthur Parkinson delve into the very best pelargoniums, highlighting some irresistibly scented varieties too, and share the best tips for propagating them in either your pots or your borders.In this episode, discover:Sarah & Arthur’s standout pelargonium varieties, with picks for scent like ‘Attar of Roses’ to m...

Arthur Parkinson’s urban garden is, like many in more built up areas, somewhat overlooked by neighbours, and perhaps the most natural solution to this is with the help of some gorgeous climbers.In this podcast episode, Sarah & Arthur focus on the varieties of clematis, honeysuckle, and other climbers which look stunning combined with the likes of hazel, corten, or even rebar.In this episode, discover:How Arthur almost-accidentally discovered the way to use coppiced hazel to train cl...

Welcome to the Q&A episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ for July, where we put your questions directly to Sarah & Josie in this special monthly episode.This month, we’ve some timely questions on the best edibles that it’s not too late to sow, and what we’re harvesting at Perch Hill right now.Josie also gives us a comprehensive look at growing lavender to look its very best, we hear Sarah’s advice on growing sweet peas to have the longest stems they possibly can, and Josie has some fa...

The UK’s bird population are dearly beloved for their song, as much as their service in keeping slugs and snails at bay, so how can we best provide safe havens for them in our gardens?Adam Nicolson’s next book, Bird School, sees him immersed in what’s best for birds and their important role in our gardens, so joins us on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ to share in his knowledge and journey so far.In this episode, discover:How to cater to different bird species’ needs by picking the right range of ...

While Andy Murray’s tennis career is well documented, and the Cromlix hotel has brought years of joy for he and wife Kim Murray, the home-grown haven of the garden plays such a huge role in Kim’s life.It’s a delight to host Kim on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ this week as she shares her experience discovering gardening, what she grows to indulge her artistic creativity, and the local, sustainable roots behind the hotel project.In this episode, discover:Kim’s discovery of gardening, and how it g...

Summer is emerging, and with July upon us comes a lovely time to be tending to our gardens, so what needs the most care and attention this month?In this month’s episode, Sarah and Josie prompt you to sow what’s about to go out of season, think about thinning your biennials, take perennial cuttings from the likes of your salvias and pelargoniums, and continue your staking for the inevitable windy days.Get in touch: [email protected] on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow...

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 e...

Being busy doesn’t bar you from growing vegetables and herbs to bring a homemade joy to your cooking, and there’s few people better-placed to share how than Jess Gough.This week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ episode centres around Jess’ journey into vegetable gardening, how she balances full time work with her thriving smallholding, and tips for keeping snails and slugs away from your seeds.In this episode, discover:Jess’ journey into growing, and how new gardeners can follow her lead in disco...

As spring rolls into summer, the kitchen garden offers a bounty of opportunities to use your vegetables and herbs in an exciting variety of ways.This week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ shines a spotlight on six of Sarah’s favourite edibles at this time of the year, as she shares a huge array of recipes, and growing tips to make your edibles taste better for longer.In this episode, discover:Why globe artichokes are such a simple crop to grow, given how prolific and delicious they areThe gloriou...

Welcome to the Q&A episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ for June, where Sarah & Josie answer listeners’ burning questions.In June’s episode, it’s the month of roses so we hear from our resident ‘Rose Queen’ how best to maintain them and whether or not they need deadheading. Sarah also shares the harvesting highlights of the edible garden, and we look at how best to maintain all your plants at their peak as we enter the scintillating start of the summer season.Get in touch: info@...

The careful composition of colour is a particularly joyful part of designing any garden, and choosing the right combination of palettes is among Sarah’s gardening pillars.Whether you’re a new listener to ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ or simply need a refresher, this episode is a fantastic foray into Sarah’s four palettes, and how best to combine the standout flowers from each.In this episode, discover:What first drew Sarah’s eye to the dark and rich palette in planting her ‘rebellious’ Oust Gard...

June brings us the weather that we’ve been waiting so long to indulge in, so what should we focus on in the garden to help it thrive in the sunlit warmth?In this monthly episode, Josie Lewis shares the biennials you should be sowing to plug next year’s May gap, and Sarah lauds the appearance of rhubarb with a lovely cordial recipe.We also look at a new way that we’ve developed for picking sweet peas at this time of year, how to know when your pots need watering, and what makes this the month ...

Since we’re still in the joyous wake of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, it’s a perfect time to see the show through the eyes of a newcomer to gardening and explore its greatest lessons.As the leader of our new range aimed at beginner gardeners, and a huge part in our presence at the show this year, Jemima Bowker returns to the podcast this week to share her RHS Chelsea Flower Show experience, and what novice gardeners can learn to brighten up their own spaces this summer.In this episode, discove...

This year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show has been an extraordinary display of floral beauty, and it’s been a pleasure for our hut to have been a part of the show.Fresh from the show, Sarah & Arthur take this week’s special podcast episode to bring you Chelsea’s highlights, and the months-long and years-long stories behind them.In this episode, discover:The joys of the Sarah Raven stand, from balancing practicality and beauty to star-studded visitors like Joanna Lumley and Mel GiedroycSarah’s p...

May is all about the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and we’ll be bringing the abundant beauty of Perch Hill’s cutting garden to our trade stand.That’s why in this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Sarah and Arthur are taking an exciting look forward to our spot at the show, the hard work it’s taken to prepare, and highlights of what you can expect to see across the week-long spectacle.In this episode, discover:How Adam Nicolson’s magical design is being brought to life at our stand, inspired by ou...

Welcome to May’s monthly Q&A podcast, where once again Sarah & Josie chime in with answers to listeners’ burning questions.This time round, Josie shares the key to propagating the stunning Dianthus ‘Green Wicky’, and we explain what you should do with spring bulbs now that they’ve gone over - and it’s not to throw them away!Also in this month’s episode, it’s dahlia planting time and Josie explains how best to plant them in terms of depth and distance apart, and Sarah gives us the comp...

The Victorian era gave the horticultural world one of the most charming designs for the cloche, or cold frame - a charm that’s being renewed by the wonderful Beth Gregg.Arthur Parkinson hails Beth as the ‘Goddess of Cloches’ through her faithful revival of those original designs with Claverton Cloches. In this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, learn what earns the cloche its spot in any garden, and how Beth breathes new life into an oft-overlooked apparatus.In this episode, discover:Bet...

The 4th of May marks a very special day at Perch Hill, particularly this year - it’s 30 years since Sarah and Adam first arrived and started making history here.Perch Hill looks so vastly different to how it began in 1994, as it’s taken shape over the decades, and in this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ Sarah & Adam share stories from their time here so far, the many phases that Perch Hill has seen, and how the garden in particular has developed.In this episode, learn:How Sarah discover...