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

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 th...

Transcribed - Published: 4 June 2026

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 plantPractical ways to transfo...

Transcribed - Published: 28 May 2026

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 me...

Transcribed - Published: 21 May 2026

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...

Transcribed - Published: 14 May 2026

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 ...

Transcribed - Published: 7 May 2026

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 ho...

Transcribed - Published: 30 April 2026

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 gro...

Transcribed - Published: 23 April 2026

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 d...

Transcribed - Published: 16 April 2026

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 co...

Transcribed - Published: 9 April 2026

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, disc...

Transcribed - Published: 2 April 2026

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 col...

Transcribed - Published: 26 March 2026

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 sowSpecific tips for making the ...

Transcribed - Published: 19 March 2026

The garden is a welcoming place for all, particularly for newcomers when guided by the gentle eye of Milli Proust, and under the instruction of her calming new book. Milli joins us once again, this time to share the inspiring journey that’s led up to her most approachable book to date, and some of the easy-to-understand frameworks to create an effortlessly beautiful garden. In this episode, discover: How Milli Proust found floristry, and began creating a deeply loved, biodiverse garden in Wes...

Transcribed - Published: 12 March 2026

The luminous palette - a rich, stained glass collection of citrus, scarlet and pinky-purples - is the first of Sarah’s colour combinations that we’ll walk through in depth for this episode of the Colour Guide Mini Series. Sarah explains the six key colours, which ones to use together throughout the year, and the flower families which she considers the most prominent and productive as they pass the colour baton through the year. In this episode, discover: How to use Sarah’s luminous palette wi...

Transcribed - Published: 5 March 2026

Colour is best when it’s tangible, and if you’re planning a patch in your garden then this episode of the Mini Series is perfect to help you bring your plans to life. In this episode of the Colour Guide Mini Series, Sarah dives into the practical side of using colour as the backbone of your garden design - from using candles to visualise colour combinations, to the ‘bride, bridesmaid, gate crasher’ structure that’ll help guide you towards an ensemble that works in harmony. In this episode, di...

Transcribed - Published: 26 February 2026

Each colour palette in the garden creates a unique atmosphere, and you don’t need intricate knowledge of the colour wheel to combine them cohesively in the garden. In this episode of the Colour Guide Mini Series, Sarah talks us through why her colour palette system works to create stunning arrangements which work with each other, rather than against each other, and how to transition between palettes within neighbouring spaces. In this episode, discover: How Sarah’s four core colour palettes e...

Transcribed - Published: 19 February 2026

Welcome to the first in a brand new miniseries of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, as Sarah delves into the world of colour, and how to use each colour palette to its absolute maximum potential in the garden. In this week’s first episode, Sarah shares how the colour system used at Perch Hill came to be, the theories behind mixing certain palettes, and the difference between calm and chaos when combining colours. In this episode, discover: How Sarah’s experiences as a florist, gardener and colour-o...

Transcribed - Published: 12 February 2026

In this episode, Sarah is joined by YouTube phenomenon Huw Richards to talk about his journey from smallholding childhood to seven-acre experimental plot, and the ideas behind his hit book Veg in One Bed. They’ll also cover exactly what to sow in late winter, and what’ll perform best when sown later – from chillies and aubergines to peas, onions and tomatoes. In this episode, discover: How Huw Richards went from helping on his parents’ Welsh smallholding to building a seven-acre e...

Transcribed - Published: 5 February 2026

From their resistance to deep snow and hard frosts, to long-flowering habits, hellebores are quietly spectacular plants that earn their keep in pots, borders and shady corners. This week we’re diving into one of the true stars of the winter garden, focusing on the new varieties that bring a renewed perspective on one of the winter garden’s most generous providers, and how to keep them looking their best in the garden or in a vase. In this episode, discover: How to choose hellebore varieties f...

Transcribed - Published: 29 January 2026

March 2026 marks the release of perhaps Sarah’s most personal book to date, drawing from childhood love, family influence, and the evolution of one’s own gardening tastes. In this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ Milli Proust joins us to discuss Sarah's new book, ‘A Year of Cut Flowers’, blending the memoir and the method to trace her family’s historic love of flora, and how it drew Sarah into the world of cut flowers. In this episode, discover: How childhood wildflower hunts with Sarah’s fa...

Transcribed - Published: 22 January 2026

The dream garden of low‑maintenance abundance is all about picking the plants that need hardly any input, just the lightest touch of editing, and they’ll give you months of shifting colour. In the third episode in this theme with Arthur, we dive into the self-seeding annuals and biennials that bring abundant colour to the garden with very little effort. From forget-me-nots and violas to cerinthe, cosmos and quaking grasses, they share their favourite ‘volunteer’ plants, how to manage th...

Transcribed - Published: 15 January 2026

For months of scent throughout the sunnier months, there are a whole host of nostalgic stalwarts and surprising new picks that are impossible to ignore. Every garden deserves a perfume as captivating as the 12 plants at the top of Josie and Sarah’s list this week, as they laud the dozen best flowers to sow for unbeatable aroma from April through to October. In this episode, discover: How to choose standout scented plants that really earn their place for perfume and looks alikeWhich specific v...

Transcribed - Published: 8 January 2026

Every year, we venture out to the Netherlands in search of the most captivating dahlias, each worthy of a spot in your garden to liven up the late-summer months. Tom Stimpson joins us again on the podcast to share their current ‘cream of the crop’, from reliable classics like ‘Molly Raven’ and ‘Adam’s Choice’, to gorgeous growers like ‘Strawberry Cream’ and ‘Princess Nadine’. Join us for an episode packed with garden inspiration for any colour palette, and a glimpse into how we choose o...

Transcribed - Published: 1 January 2026

Shane Connolly is a master of many arts, and one that he exhibits throughout the year is how to use sustainable floristry to create a sense of charm often reserved for the tiniest of tables. That’s why he’s in such high demand - we talk through his exciting, varied year of arranging in this week’s podcast, with a look at the festive season, and a few tips to serve your own arranging in the festive season, taking inspiration from Shane’s wondrous wedding displays. In this episode, discover: Ho...

Transcribed - Published: 25 December 2025

Whether you're nurturing a bustling city plot or a country border, there’s a spot in everyone’s gardens, pots and borders for beautiful, productive perennials throughout the year. Following on from last week’s episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Arthur is with us again to focus this time on perennials that are light-touch and bountiful for those of us putting together a low-maintenance garden. In this episode, discover: Perennials, shrubs, and self-seeding annuals that provide long-lasting...

Transcribed - Published: 18 December 2025

The ideal garden for our busy daily lives has a border bursting with colour, without the need for hours spent toiling to achieve it. This week’s episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ is the perfect antidote to fussy flowers - Arthur Parkinson returns to laud the best self-seeding perennials for a low-maintenance garden brimming with lasting impact and scent. You’ll hear inspiring ornamentals and edibles to sow, how best to maintain their beauty with minimal effort, and which varieties are mos...

Transcribed - Published: 11 December 2025

Following on from last week’s wintry themed episode on containers, this week we’re setting our sights on the summer ahead, on what’ll bring colour to your pots at the season’s peak. Josie’s absolute burning passion is containers, and this week she gives her plant picks for pots taking us through summer and autumn. Join us on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ as we delve into the ‘thriller, filler, pillar, spiller’ method for arranging containers, which combinations have stood out in their trials, an...

Transcribed - Published: 4 December 2025

The garden’s magic needn’t be seasonal - containers can be the heroes of hue in even the coldest months. It’s time to assemble your winter containers ready to keep the scent and colour peaking, carrying us through till spring, with 12 inspiring varieties from Sarah and our Head Gardener, Josie Lewis. Join them on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ for a plethora of plants perfect for containers of any size, and how to keep them all looking their very best. In this episode, discover: Which container p...

Transcribed - Published: 27 November 2025

Whatever your garden’s size, picking plants with the right size and shape can be just as important for impact as their colour and scent. Tom Stimpson returns to ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ this week as we uncover the plants that form the backbone of beauty, function and vibrance all year round. You’ll hear hardy varieties, plants for both the garden and the kitchen, and inspiration as to where you should sow each flower for maximum impact. In this episode, discover: How to choose and incorpora...

Transcribed - Published: 20 November 2025

It’s the run-in to Christmas, so if you’re thin on decorations and want to think more sustainably about dazzling your guests this year, turn to the garden and start drying flowers now. In the first of many ‘12 Best’ episodes over the coming months, Tom Stimpson joins us as he and Sarah talk through the best flowers for stunning dried arrangements, and top tips to maintain their unique texture and colour throughout the season. In this episode, discover: Creative, sustainable ways to use dried ...

Transcribed - Published: 13 November 2025

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 viol...

Transcribed - Published: 6 November 2025

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 gardenWhich pl...

Transcribed - Published: 30 October 2025

Sarah once overlooked the beauty of the brown tulip, but over time has only grown to love them more and more. There’s a shade for every space, and so if you’re seeking inspiration on how to bring the beauty of Dom Pedro and La Belle Epoque into your garden, then brown tulips take centre stage on this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’. In this episode, discover: The fascinating history and allure of rare brown tulip varietiesHow to “reflex” tulip petals for a show-stopping floral displayInspir...

Transcribed - Published: 23 October 2025

As the days grow shorter and the garden’s colours fade for winter, it’s easy to feel a little wistful for spring’s vibrant cheer, and it’s not always as far away as one might think…. In this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Sarah shares her favourite ways to bring a burst of early colour into your home and garden, from clever bulb planting, to creative and natural flower arranging. In this episode, discover: How to choose and plant the best bulbs for a burst of early spring colo...

Transcribed - Published: 16 October 2025

One of the joys of year-round gardening is the succession that comes from a bulb lasagne, and for those with a greenhouse, the possibilities are stunning. This episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ is full of inspiration for early narcissi, late tulips, and dahlias fit for each layer of a bulb lasagne, with a quick recap on how to layer them for maximum impact. We’ll also hear Sarah’s homemade remedy for mildew, a pesky problem that greenhouse gardeners will need to watch out for as they grow...

Transcribed - Published: 9 October 2025

Pesky rodents can be a nightmare for pot gardeners trying to grow bulbs over the winter, but there’s plenty you can do to protect them, and put on a show while doing so! In this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, you’ll discover Sarah’s tried-and-true methods for keeping squirrels away, the best looking varieties for form and function alike, and creative ways to make your pots work double duty with beautiful and edible pot toppers. In this episode, discover: Clever, tried-and-tested...

Transcribed - Published: 2 October 2025

As autumn arrives and bulb planting season begins, it's the perfect time to start planning next year’s garden so that it’s bursting with colour all year long. In this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Sarah takes you on a journey through the bulbs carrying the colour baton in the Oast garden at Perch Hill, sharing how to layer bulbs in pots for maximum impact, and how to select varieties that will thrive in your space. In this episode, discover: How to plan and plant a succes...

Transcribed - Published: 25 September 2025

For those who look carefully and stay connected to nature, there’s abundance to be found all year round. That’s the commitment at the heart of Mark Diacono’s new book, which he’s penned in the years since his last appearance on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ in April 2021! Mark joins us once again to share his latest discoveries, festive recipes, and inspirations for those with one foot in the garden, and the other in the kitchen. In this episode, discover: Mark Diacono’s inspiring journey from c...

Transcribed - Published: 18 September 2025

While some of your flowers might’ve lost the colour that gave you joy throughout the summer, their charm in your home is far from over. Drying seedheads is one of Sarah and Arthur’s great delights, and with summer rolling into autumn it’s the perfect time to start drying seedheads and grasses ready to create stunning, sustainable Christmas decorations. In this episode, discover: How to perfectly time your harvest for the most vibrant and long-lasting dried flowers and seed headsSimple, tried-...

Transcribed - Published: 11 September 2025

Of all the inspiring chefs to show a heartfelt appreciation for the work of the gardener, Raymond Blanc OBE might be the greatest advocate. The world-renowned restaurateur lauds the ‘magic of the garden and the miracles of the kitchen’ throughout his work. We’re fortunate to dive into his illustrious past, and how it guides some of the most tantalising dishes from his latest kitchen garden cookbook, as he joins us on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ this week. In this episode, discover: Raymo...

Transcribed - Published: 4 September 2025

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 flowe...

Transcribed - Published: 28 August 2025

A greenhouse is not just for summer - it’s for the whole year round, and it’s far more versatile than many give it credit for. Tom Brown returns to ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, fresh from the release of The Greenhouse Book, the writing of which has given him a new perspective on just how much delight it can bring in all seasons. Join Tom and Sarah as they share tips for siting your greenhouse, what to put in the greenhouse heading into autumn, and how to manage the pest population to keep your...

Transcribed - Published: 21 August 2025

The season from May to August has been so extraordinary, thanks in no small part to the succession of alliums passing the baton throughout the summer months. August is prime time for sowing alliums ready for next year, so in this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ Sarah takes us through a whole host of varieties that’ll have your garden dancing with dazzling and rich bulbs. In this episode, discover: How to create a stunning, season-long display of colour in your garden by choosing the rig...

Transcribed - Published: 14 August 2025

Philippa Stewart started ‘Justdahlias’ when a passion turned into an obsession, and her talent for drying dahlias is a fabulous way to intensify their impact. This week’s episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ dives into Philippa’s journey into dahlia drying, different techniques for drying them yourself, how best to arrange them, and the most stunning varieties when dried. In this episode, discover: Philippa's top tips for hanging flowers for perfect preservation and maximum air circulationTh...

Transcribed - Published: 7 August 2025

Over the course of 32 years Sarah has been perfecting the art of conditioning cut flowers, and her indispensable tips will help breathe life into your vases. This week’s episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ covers 7 essential tips to condition any of your plants for not just a long-lasting tenure in an arrangement, but for keeping them looking proud and pretty for longer. In this episode, discover: The 6 'S' techniques of flower conditioning to transform cut flowers from short-lived showstop...

Transcribed - Published: 31 July 2025

Cut flowers are one of the great joys of summer, and since Sarah’s last episode on cut flowers, there are a host of wonderful new varieties worthy of adorning your vases. This episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ hones in on 20 of the best flowers for taking cuttings throughout the coming season, offering unbeatable scent, intriguing shapes, and staggering productivity all summer long. In this episode, discover: Cut flowers with productivity and personality, from the elegant Nicotiana Silves...

Transcribed - Published: 10 July 2025

The Great British Sewing Bee brings so much delight to those who watch it, and instrumental to its charm is Co-Host Patrick Grant, this week’s fabulous podcast guest. This week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ dives into the magic behind the show, what makes it so enjoyable for everyone on and off-screen, Patrick’s marvellous mission with Community Clothing, and the ambitious plans for an inspiring garden transformation at his Yorkshire home. In this episode, discover: Behind the magic of The Gre...

Transcribed - Published: 3 July 2025

At this time of year sweet peas are one of the season’s greatest joys, whether through the earlier flowering varieties or the incredibly fragrant flowers. In this solo episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ Sarah dives into the best growing systems for stunning sweet peas, a new method for picking & deadheading, and the specific sweet peas that will make your garden sing through spring. In this episode, discover: How best to condition sweet peas for the most prolific growth and huge stemsA...

Transcribed - Published: 26 June 2025

There’s nothing quite like cooking outside, and summer provides the perfect opportunity to light a fire and cook up a feast, all inspired by expert tips and recipes courtesy of chef and author, Gill Meller. Highlighting delicious recipes from his book ‘Outside’, Gill joins Sarah on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ to share stories of his early forays cooking outdoors, the recipes he couldn’t live without, and some common pitfalls to avoid when you’re inevitably inspired to cook on the fire. In this...

Transcribed - Published: 19 June 2025

Between starting out at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall, a spot on Alan Titchmarsh’s new TV show, and raising two young daughters, organic grower Anna Greenland is a modern horticultural heroine. Returning to ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ this month, Anna joins Sarah to share how she inspires her children to grow with her, tips for encouraging younger family members to embrace gardening, and what to sow or harvest now to enjoy the kitchen garden’s greatest gifts. In this episode, discover: How A...

Transcribed - Published: 12 June 2025