Best Sarah Raven in conversation with Arthur Parkinson Podcasts (2025)

1
Growing in pots on a London balcony with Jemima Bowker - Episode 221 29:42

4d ago29:42

29:42

Urban gardeners who rent will be familiar with the need to transport their portable gardens frequently, so which plants are ideal for pots and containers that are often on the move? Jemima Bowker is our beginner and balcony gardening expert with a relocation on the horizon. This week, she joins Sarah to chat about the ideal varieties for all sizes …

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Species tulips and why you should grow them with Josie Lewis - Episode 220 28:32

11d ago28:32

28:32

There's been some exciting breeding and hybridising using species tulips - those closely related to wild tulips - in recent years, which has made them perfect plants for withstanding tulip fire. Species tulips are a newfound favourite for Josie and Sarah at Perch Hill, and in this episode we’ll hear why they’re a must-have for pots in particular, a…

1
Enter the secret world of bees and their honey with Rachel de Thample - Episode 219 27:14

18d ago27:14

27:14

Bees are an absolute passion for us at Perch Hill, not just for their pollination and presence in the garden, but for their delicious and nutritious produce too. The same can be said for award-winning author and fermentation expert, Rachel de Thample, who joins Sarah this week on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ to share delicious honey-inspired recipes …

1
Why garden birds have so much to teach us with Adam Nicolson - Episode 218 28:28

25d ago28:28

28:28

There’s a rich, complex, and utterly rewarding natural world that co-exists alongside ours, and relies on our gardens for food and safety – the often surprising world of small garden birds. This week on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Adam Nicolson shares insights from his new book, Bird School, which explores the secret life of these tiny avian visito…

1
What to sow and plant this spring with some of Sarah’s greatest guests - Episode 217 28:56

1M ago28:56

28:56

Spring is here in all its glory, and with it comes the perfect moment to plant and sow. This week on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ we’ve compiled our top tips and growing inspiration from not one, but seven of Sarah’s all-time favourite guests. From Knepp’s Charlie Harpur on his favourite plants for pollinators, to the veg varieties Jess Gough is grow…

1
A guide to compost making for no dig gardening with Charles Dowding - Episode 216 34:59

1M ago34:59

34:59

Charles Dowding is world-renowned as a pioneer of no dig growing, and while it’s great for saving time and effort, it’s also proven to be more productive and better for the environment, and the soil, too. Who better to hear from on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ than the pioneer himself, as Charles joins Sarah and Josie to share his decades of experien…

1
The rewards of growing your own delicious fruit and veg varieties with Joe Clark - Episode 215 30:52

2M ago30:52

30:52

Like many gardeners, Joe Clark was captivated by the magic of growing his own food at a young age, and now inspires millions more to be enthralled by the same fascinating process via his popular social media channels. Joe is an advocate for planting fruit, veg and flowers that you may not ordinarily encounter in the supermarket, and on this episode…

1
Seasonal picks for successional colour and boosting biodiversity with Arthur Parkinson - Episode 214 22:09

2M ago22:09

22:09

Lighter, longer days signal the start of a joyous season for gardeners, and March is the perfect month to plan for the highlights of your spring and summer garden. Arthur Parkinson returns to ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ this week to share the plants that brought him the most joy last year, the trials he’ll be undertaking in his own compact garden at…

1
Our role in supporting wild and solitary bees as gardeners with Richard Rickitt - Episode 213 37:33

2M ago37:33

37:33

Bees are one of the most essential species in our ecosystem, and all of our gardens play a vital role in providing food and shelter for them to thrive. Beekeeper, gardener and writer Richard Rickitt’s passion for these particular pollinators is utterly infectious. In this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Richard shares what inspired him to st…

1
The best of the best narcissi for early spring colour and scent - Episode 212 20:58

2M ago20:58

20:58

Narcissi are such rewarding plants to grow, tolerant of almost any site and situation. At Perch Hill in particular, it’s shaping up to be a stellar spring for the humble daffodil and its more diminutive narcissus relatives. Whether it’s perenniality, perfume or punchy colours that you’re after in your own garden, in this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, ar…

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Talking biodynamics and biodiversity in growing cut flowers with Alfie Nickerson - Episode 211 23:20

2M ago23:20

23:20

Alfie Nickerson is a biodynamic flower farmer making his mark in British horticulture, and his 3,500-strong dahlia field, buzzing with wildlife, is testament to that. After working for 6 years as a jobbing gardener in London, and then volunteering at Fern Verrow – the biodynamic farm of previous guest Jane Scotter – Alfie describes his journey in c…

1
A return to Perch Hill - tales of a head gardener and talented florist with Bea Andrews - Episode 210 25:22

3M ago25:22

25:22

Bea Andrews is no stranger to Perch Hill - she was head gardener for many years, and is now back in a new guise as our visiting florist, aka Botanika Flora. It's a joy to welcome Bea back for this nostalgic episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ with Sarah as she shares her fascinating background and route into horticulture in her native Hungary, th…

1
From entrepreneurialism to The Eden Project, a life’s work with Sir Tim Smit - Episode 209 26:01

3M ago26:01

26:01

The Eden Project and The Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall are two of the most important horticultural projects of recent times, both helmed by the brilliant mind of Sir Tim Smit – Sarah’s guest on the podcast this week. Tim’s work on pioneering projects like Eden is guided by three pillars that also resonate for Sarah – education, entrepreneuria…

1
Our vital role as gardeners in supporting birds, with the RSPB’s Emma Marsh - Episode 208 40:32

3M ago40:32

40:32

If you're looking to support wild birds in your garden, the RSPB’s upcoming Big Garden Birdwatch is an essential event for us all. Adam Nicolson and Emma Marsh, Executive Director of the RSPB, join Sarah in this week’s bird-focused episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ to discuss how to get involved in this weekend’s annual bird count, how it came …

1
The life-changing magic of growing dahlias with Savannah Miller - Episode 207 19:28

3M ago19:28

19:28

Savannah Miller’s newfound passion for growing cut flowers, in particular dahlias, feeds fantastically into her contemporary bridal designs. In this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Sarah and Savannah discuss her successful career in fashion, an unexpected foray into bridal design, and her newfound joy in growing cut flowers and vegetables. P…

1
12 excellent edibles to sow early in 2025 - Episode 206 19:43

4M ago19:43

19:43

Be it a fully fledged kitchen garden, or a few window boxes outside your back door, It’s never too early to start planning which edibles you want to grow for the season ahead. Following last week’s flower-focused episode, this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ continues the sowing theme to highlight Sarah’s top pick of outstanding edibles to grow f…

1
The 12 best flowery flowers to grow from seed - Episode 205 17:10

4M ago17:10

17:10

There are few more therapeutic jobs in the potting shed or polytunnel than sowing seeds, and if you’re looking to fill your spring garden with colourful cut flowers, now is the time to start sowing your standout varieties. In the first of two back-to-back episodes of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Sarah turns her attention to the cut flowers she’ll be…

1
The grounding joy of gardening with Sarah Raven & Alex Clark – Episode 204 38:24

4M ago38:24

38:24

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…

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Ottolenghi’s ultimate comfort food for Christmas (and beyond) with Tara Wigley and Verena Lochmuller - Episode 203 24:01

4M ago24:01

24:01

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 t…

1
How to craft a colourful, sustainable Christmas - Episode 202 32:34

5M ago32:34

32:34

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 mos…

1
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? 10:45

5M ago10:45

10:45

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 w…

1
Perfect gift ideas from our Christmas range with Arthur Parkinson - Episode 201 30:53

5M ago30:53

30:53

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 wh…

1
This month in your garden: December 9:52

5M ago9:52

9:52

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 pla…

1
Inspiring biodiversity on a grand scale with Dominic Rose - Episode 200 26:38

5M ago26:38

26:38

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 …

1
10 indispensable tools to make gardening a joy with Josie Lewis - Episode 199 26:13

5M ago26:13

26:13

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 shoul…

1
Perfect flowers for a biodiverse buzz in your garden with Arthur Parkinson - Episode 198 22:26

5M ago22:26

22:26

Butterflies and bees can only thrive in a garden with a ‘living buffet’ to which they can flock, which is why biodiversity is the hot topic for Sarah and Arthur in this latest episode of grow, cook, eat, arrange. Reflecting on a year in which pollinators have struggled and needed particular support, they share the best plant varieties for bringing …

1
Q&A: Are we too late to plant forced bulbs for Christmas? How can I start bare root planting this Winter? What can I still sow in November? 12:58

6M ago12:58

12:58

Welcome to the November Q&A episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, where Sarah & Josie answer questions sent in by our lovely listeners each month. In this episode, Sarah answers timely questions on forced bulbs and whether it’s too late to plant them now for Christmas, as well as the things you can still sow at this time of year. Meanwhile, Josie …

1
Bringing seasonal delights from farm to plate with Julius Roberts - Episode 197 45:43

6M ago45:43

45:43

Please be aware: This episode contains sensitive discussion about animal death and stillbirth, which some may find upsetting. Seasonality is a powerful quality in any recipe, to which the abundance of delicious culinary ideas in Julius Roberts’ new book ‘The Farm Table’ is perfect testament. We explore Julius’ journey as a chef, farmer, grower and …

1
This month in your garden: November 11:21

6M ago11:21

11:21

November signals a real turn in the weather, and this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat arrange’ is a perfect collation of all the jobs you should consider to prepare your garden for the impending season. Sarah gives a rundown of the tasks at the top of her mind, from sowing pea tips and lovely scented sweet peas, to preparing paperwhite narcissus for pl…

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Bring small spaces alive with pots and bulb lasagnes with Jemima Bowker - Episode 196 34:05

6M ago34:05

34:05

Even in smaller, urban gardens and balcony spaces, you can breathe life into them with charming pots and bulb lasagnes Curating her own balcony garden with that vision of city-bound colour in mind, Jemima Bowker returns to ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ this week to share with Sarah how she’s taking on the challenge of small space gardening for the aut…

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The hedges perfect for creating a biodiversity haven with Adam Nicolson - Episode 195 18:24

6M ago18:24

18:24

Biodiversity thrives on the presence of hedges, and autumn presents a wonderful time to get them planted, bringing a beautiful birdsong into your garden. Adam Nicolson joins Sarah for this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, sharing his ever-bountiful knowledge on all things biodiversity, and which hedges are perfect protection for an enchanting…

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Gardening with the creative vision of a Celebrity Hairstylist with Sam McKnight MBE - Episode 194 31:24

6M ago31:24

31:24

In this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Sarah is joined by celebrity hair stylist and keen gardener Sam McKnight MBE. Sam shares with Sarah his passion for gardening and how he indulges the solitude of the garden, as well as his fabulous career journey. Sam McKnight MBE is one of the most influential and celebrated hair stylists in the world…

1
Sarah’s exciting announcement of an industry-first BCorp status 3:16

6M ago3:16

3:16

Sarah Raven is now certified B Corp, a delightful announcement as an industry-first within the online retail gardening industry. For those unfamiliar with the certification, this special bonus episode talks through the many reasons that B Corp status matters, and what it means for both us as a company, and you as gardeners. Sarah shares what makes …

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Q&A: Which bulbs do I need to plant as soon as they arrive? If I don’t lift my dahlias, when should I mulch them? Do I need to lift dahlias from pots? When, and how, do I store dahlias? What perennials ... 11:18

7M ago11:18

11:18

Welcome to the October Q&A episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, where Sarah & Josie answer questions sent in by our lovely listeners each month. In this episode, Sarah shares which of the bulbs you should plant out as soon as you receive them and why, and Josie talks through when you should mulch dahlias if you’re not lifting them over winter. Jo…

1
Sarah Raven’s ultimate desert island bulbs - Episode 193 26:47

7M ago26:47

26:47

It’s prime bulb-planting time, and top of mind for Sarah right now is a stunning collection of colourful, inspiring bulbs to plant. This week’s episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ is a must-listen for bulb fanatics, as Sarah talks us through her desert island bulbs, how to plant for colour succession in the spring months, and the delightful stori…

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Be Your Own Florist Mini-Series: Flower razzmatazz in easy talk-over-table flowers 25:38

7M ago25:38

25:38

Welcome to the last of our floristry mini-series, perfect for any social affair - Sarah takes you through how to compose a stunning arrangement in a bowl for table flowers. Step by step, you’ll see how she creates a natural scaffold through which the display emerges, and shares some of her favourite flowers and foliage to work with in an arrangemen…

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The joys of growing and cooking edible flowers with Carolyn Dunster - Episode 192 23:33

7M ago23:33

23:33

Flowers have been used in cooking for centuries, but there’s an art to the edible flower with which many of us are yet to experiment. It’s this art which is central to Carolyn Dunster’s latest book - this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ sees Arthur Parkinson explore Carolyn’s journey with edibles, the simplest and best varieties to grow yours…

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Be Your Own Florist Mini-Series: Arranging at scale in our Favourite Jade Vase 19:02

7M ago19:02

19:02

Welcome to the latest in the Be Your Own Florist Mini-Series, this time showing you how to craft a stunning display in a vase. Any vase can be turned into a gorgeous arrangement, but Sarah shows how best to use the flared neck and wide belly of a vase like our own ‘Favourite Jade Vase’, bringing bombastic structure to your arrangement both upwards …

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This month in your garden: October 10:43

7M ago10:43

10:43

As days shorten and the cold rolls in, we’re prompted to undertake some key jobs in the garden this month, so join Sarah and Josie for October’s most important tasks in this special episode. Sarah and Josie share the need to plant out the likes of hardy annual salad leaves, and biennials if you’ve sown them already. They also touch on the need to h…

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Floristry inspiration through a fashion designer’s lens with Hazel Gardiner - Episode 191 21:12

7M ago21:12

21:12

Garden design is certainly a creative affair, and while Hazel Gardiner’s background was once in fashion, her floristry studio exudes inspiration from which we can all learn. This episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ explores Hazel’s journey from fashion to floristry, the thought process behind her own garden, and her absolute favourite plants for …

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Be Your Own Florist Mini-Series: Home-grown, garden flowers - the best present you can give? 14:59

7M ago14:59

14:59

Welcome to the next episode in our floristry mini-series, and in episode 3 we’ll be sharing the best way to create a gorgeous, flowing hand-tied bunch. Join Sarah as she shows the process from the stable scaffold-like base of foliage, to the simple, delicate addition of your most eye-catching flowers, and how to use the bride-bridesmaid-gatecrasher…

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Vibrant flowers for pot planting in town gardens with Tom Stimpson - Episode 190 27:59

7M ago27:59

27:59

Town gardening often demands that we as gardeners use our spaces wisely, and Tom Stimpson’s use of pots can teach us so much about creating a vibrant ensemble in the most modest of spaces. This episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ takes us on a tour of Tom’s garden, brimming with inspiration for us all to plant more in pots to breathe life into co…

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Be Your Own Florist Mini-Series: A tableful of flowers 10:16

7M ago10:16

10:16

Welcome to the latest episode in our floristry mini-series, this time bringing the best of your garden to life in a gorgeous tabletop ensemble. Join Sarah as she demonstrates how she arranges sweet peas, erigeron, phlox and more, talking through the perfect approach to structuring them for their eye-catching moment in the limelight at any gathering…

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The joys of tending to stunning dahlias and rare hen breeds with Arthur Parkinson - Episode 189 22:08

8M ago22:08

22:08

Arthur Parkinson may be a wonderful champion for the portable nature of the potted urban garden, but it’s an exciting prospect that he has the opportunity to grow on some new land in Gloucestershire. Between the rare breeds of hen and the lovely collection of dahlias that he’s built up, this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ should inspire anyo…

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Be Your Own Florist Mini-Series: Conditioning cut flowers for ultimate vase life 15:38

8M ago15:38

15:38

Welcome to our latest mini-series: Be your own florist - pick and arrange your own garden flowers, with Sarah Raven. Focused on the joys of floristry, Sarah will take you through the essential steps to bring the best of your garden to life in a vase. This first episode is a fantastic crash course in conditioning your cut flowers, following Sarah’s …

1
Q&A: When should I mulch dahlias? What should I cut back into autumn? When should I start forcing scented bulbs? Is it too soon for bulb planting? 11:41

8M ago11:41

11:41

Welcome to the September Q&A episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, where Sarah & Josie answer questions sent in by our lovely listeners each month. In this episode, Sarah shares the ideal time to mulch your dahlias and how best to tackle the task, and when to start working on forced, scented bulbs ready for Christmas. Meanwhile, Josie picks up que…

1
Stunning highlights from our Autumn range with Arthur Parkinson - Episode 188 36:40

8M ago36:40

36:40

With the changing of seasons brings an exciting new catalogue from which to draw inspiration for the year ahead. In this episode full of possibilities, Arthur joins Sarah to peruse the latest and greatest from the Sarah Raven Autumn catalogue, shining a spotlight on the great performers and showstoppers to sow now, ready to breathe life into the ga…

1
This month in your garden: September 8:42

8M ago8:42

8:42

September signals a time where we’re preparing our plants for the colder months, which makes this episode rounding up the essential monthly jobs such an important one. Sarah and Josie direct you towards the edibles you should concentrate on - namely the hardy annuals - and remind us of the need to deadhead your dahlias. September is also the time t…

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Combining creative arts to inspire your garden with Andy Monaghan - Episode 187 32:06

8M ago32:06

32:06

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 Hamps…

1
Autumn bulb planting for a year of beauty with Josie Lewis - Episode 186 27:34

8M ago27:34

27:34

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 t…

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Sarah Raven In Conversation With Arthur Parkinson Podcasts

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