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

Drying dahlias for stunning hanging arrangements with Philippa Stewart - Episode 234

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 circulationThe fascinating world of dahlia colour transformations, as their hues evolve and intensify over timeHow to create a cutting garden that provides flowers from summer right through to autumn, with varieties that work brilliantly both fresh and driedProducts mentioned:Dahlia 'Sweet Nathalie'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-sweet-nathalieDahlia Cactus Group Mixhttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-cactus-group-mixDahlia 'Café au Lait'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-cafe-au-laitFollow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/Get in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Secrets to Long-lasting Cut Flowers - Episode 233

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 showstoppers to stunning, long-lasting displaysWhy some temperature-sensitive flowers flop, and tips to keep them perky for weeksSimple, quick advice on how to arrange for great vase life, while avoiding the ‘pick, plonk’ approachProducts mentioned:Euphorbia characias subsp. Wulfeniihttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/euphorbia-characias-subsp-wulfeniiBluebells (Hyacinthoides non scripta)https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hyacinthoides-non-scripta-bluebellsFollow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/Get in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

From Garden to Vase: Sarah’s Top Picks for Long-Lasting, Beautiful Cut Flowers - Episode 232

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 Silvestris to more delicate grasses The top flower picks that last for weeks, or sometimes up to a monthHow to create showstopping arrangements with fragrance, which are also marvellously pollinator-friendlyWhich flowers have the longest flowering seasons for cut flowers all season longProducts mentioned:Nicotiana sylvestris 'Only the Lonely'"https://www.sarahraven.com/products/nicotiana-sylvestrisPaeonia 'Coral Sunset'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/paeonia-coral-sunsetRosa x odorata 'Mutabilis' (China)https://www.sarahraven.com/products/rosa-x-oderata-mutabilisRosa rubrifolia (Shrub)https://www.sarahraven.com/products/rosa-glauca-syn-rubrifoliaLonicera periclymenum 'Graham Thomas'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lonicera-periclymenum-graham-thomasCerinthe major 'Purpurascens'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cerinthe-major-purpurascensBriza maxima (Greater Quaking Grass)https://www.sarahraven.com/products/briza-maxima-greater-quaking-grassChasmanthium latifoliumhttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/chasmanthium-latifoliumPanicum capillare 'Sparkling Fountain'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/panicum-sparkling-fountainCosmos bipinnatus 'Purity'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cosmos-bipinnatus-purityCosmos bipinnatus 'Apricotta'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cosmos-bipinnatus-apricottaAntirrhinum majus 'Potomac Apple-blossom' F1https://www.sarahraven.com/products/antirrhinum-majus-potomac-apple-blossom-f1Antirrhinum 'Liberty Crimson' F1https://www.sarahraven.com/products/antirrhinum-liberty-crimsonFollow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/Get in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Craft, Community and Cultivating a Life in the Garden with Patrick Grant - Episode 231

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 Great British Sewing Bee, how Patrick came to present the show, and what makes it such a special experiencePatrick’s incredible mission with Community Clothing, breathing life back into British textile manufacturing How Patrick is transforming his charming garden in Yorkshire into a thriving, beautiful spaceFollow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/Get in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Sweet Pea Secrets: Feeding, Picking and Favourite Varieties - Episode 230

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 new method of picking that helps give you more flowers, and keep life in your sweet peasSarah’s tips for preventing mildew, not just for sweet peas but for most plantsThe absolute top varieties for perfume, performance, and early-flowering delightsProducts mentioned:Sweet Pea 'Matucana'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lathyrus-odoratus-matucanaSweet Pea 'Mrs Collier'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lathyrus-odoratus-mrs-collierSweet Pea 'Nimbus'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sweet-pea-nimbus Sweet Pea 'Blue Velvet'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sweet-pea-blue-velvetFollow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/Get in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest