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

Tom Stimpson: The magic of mini-bulbs for a pint-sized garden - Episode 288

We’re stepping once more into Tom Stimpson’s tiny town garden to see how he coaxes months of colour from the smallest of spaces. In this episode, Tom shares the mini bulbs that have truly earned their keep in pots and window boxes – from long-flowering iris and species tulips to cheerful muscari and dwarf narcissus. Together we explore simple planting “recipes”, clever table‑top displays, and a low‑maintenance watering approach that lets the weather do most of the work. In this episode, discover:How Tom turns a tiny town garden into months of spring colour using mini bulbs in pots, tabletops and window boxesWhich small bulbs really earn their keep in containers – from Ipheion ‘Alberto Castillo’ and ‘Wisley Blue’ to favourite species tulips and dwarf narcissusSimple ways to plan a small-space bulb display, including easy paper layouts and colour planningA low-maintenance watering approach for bulbs in pots that relies on deep, occasional soaking rather than constant fussingPractical tricks for protecting bulbs from squirrels and how to give narcissi, muscari and Iris reticulata a second life in borders.Products mentioned:Ipheion ‘Alberto Castillo’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/ipheion-alberto-castilloTulipa sylvestris: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulipa-sylvestrisAnemone blanda ‘Blue Shades’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/anemone-blanda-blue-shadesMuscari ‘Blue Magic’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/muscari-blue-magicMuscari ‘Valerie Finnis’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/muscari-armeniacum-valerie-finnisNarcissus ‘Minnow’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-minnowNarcissus ‘Sailboat’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-sailboatScilla / Squills (Siberian Squill): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/scilla-sibericaSee our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-eventsGet in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop 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

Tom Stimpson: How to curate low-maintenance, long-lasting perennial pots - Episode 287

If you love the idea of beautiful pots that don’t need replanting every five minutes, perennials in a container can be the perfect solution, and just as stunning as a bed or a border.Tom Stimpson returns to discuss trusted “banker” perennials for containers – from long-flowering hellebores and acers underplanted with geraniums, to hydrangeas, heucheras and beloved agapanthus. You’ll hear exactly which combinations have stood the test of time in Tom’s garden as well as at Perch Hill, and how to get colour from winter through to late autumn.In this episode, discover:How to design perennial pots that give you colour and structure from winter through to late autumn, without constant replantingWhich plants Sarah and Tom rely on most strongly for containers Practical planting combinations for small gardens, such as Pittosporum with hellebores and scabious, or an acer underplanted with Geranium ‘Rozanne’A realistic regime for watering, feeding and deadheading perennial pots so they stay sturdy rather than sappyProducts mentioned:Helleborus niger: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/helleborus-nigerHelleborus orientalis: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/helleborus-orientalis-pretty-ellen-spottedHelleborus ‘Ice n’ Roses Red’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/helleborus-x-glandorfensis-ice-n-roses-redPittosporum ‘Bannow Bay’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/pittosporum-tenuifolium-bannow-bayScabiosa atropurpurea ‘Black Cat’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/scabiosa-atropurpurea-black-catScabiosa ‘Kudo Pink’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/scabiosa-incisa-kudo-pinkGeranium ‘Rozanne’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/geranium-rozanneGeranium ‘Dreamland’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/geranium-dreamlandHydrangea ‘Madame Emile Mouillère’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hydrangea-macrophylla-madame-emile-mouillereHydrangea ‘Little Lime’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hydrangea-paniculata-little-limeHydrangea ‘Limelight’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hydrangea-paniculata-limelightHydrangea ‘Little Fresco’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hydrangea-paniculata-little-frescoHeuchera ‘Black Taffeta’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/heuchera-black-taffetaGaura ‘The Bride’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/gaura-lindheimeri-the-brideGaura ‘Flamingo’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/gaura-collection-for-potsSalvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/salvia-nemorosa-caradonnaSalvia ‘Peach Melba’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/salvia-peach-melbaVerbena rigida: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/verbena-rigidaLinaria ‘Peachy’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/linaria-x-purpurea-peachyAgapanthus ‘Midnight Blue’ / ‘Navy Blue’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/agapanthus-navy-blueSee our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-eventsGet in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop 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

Tom Stimpson: Forcing bulbs for a wonderful winter indoors - Episode 286

We’re approaching the perfect moment for bulb planting, and if you’re looking to force bulbs for a lovely indoor winter, then look no further than the sage advice of Tom Stimpson.In this episode, Sarah and Tom - our Head of Horticulture - share their favourite bulbs to force indoors, and how to pot and water them, plus a few simple tricks to keep them flowering for weeks on end. In this episode, discover:The best bulbs to force indoors, from dramatic amaryllis and classic paperwhites to scented narcissus, hyacinths and tiny muscariSimple methods for planting, positioning and watering indoor bulbs so they flower reliablyThe importance of “mean” watering to avoid rot and keep flowers lasting longerEasy ways to move forced bulbs from house to garden so they go on to provide colour and cut stems for seasons to comeProducts mentioned:Amaryllis ‘Papillio’ (Papilio): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/amaryllis-papillioAmaryllis ‘Green Magic’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/amaryllis-green-magicAmaryllis ‘Nymph’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/amaryllis-nymphPaperwhite Narcissus ‘Ziva’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-papyraceus-ziva-for-forcingNarcissus ‘Polar Hunter’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-polar-hunterHyacinth ‘China Pink’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hyacinth-china-pinkHyacinth ‘Delft Blue’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hyacinthus-orientalis-delft-blue-forcingMuscari ‘Blue Magic’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/muscari-blue-magicSee our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-eventsGet in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop 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

Dame Laura Lee DBE: The emotive garden design behind Maggie’s centres - Episode 285

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 supportWhy the design of a space can change how it feels to live with cancerWhat actually happens when someone walks from the hospital into a Maggie’s CentreHow Maggie’s supports not only patients but their families and friends through the processThe role of gardens and seasons as a gentle way to talk about hope, uncertainty, treatment, and even end of lifeSee our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-eventsGet in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop 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

12 winter veg to keep you harvesting until April - Episode 284

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 harvestsWhich 12 tried-and-tested crops Sarah relies on for winter and early spring eatingThe exact sowing window for late-summer and early-autumn sowings, and why timing is crucial if you want strong plants going into winterPractical ways to cook and enjoy your winter veg, including Sarah’s wilted kale salad, and how to use herbs to brighten cold-season saladsProducts mentioned:Lettuce ‘Merveille de Quatre Saisons’:https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lettuce-merveille-de-quatre-saisonsMustard ‘Red Frills’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/mustard-red-frillsFlat-leaf Parsley ‘Giant of Napoli’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/parsley-gigante-di-napoliSpinach ‘Medania’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/spinach-medaniaChard: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/chard-lucullusFlorence Fennel / Bulb Fennel (‘Romanesco’): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/florence-fennel-romanescoSee our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-eventsGet in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop 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