We’re delighted to welcome a very special guest onto ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ this week, someone whose award-winning talent as a food writer, grower and photographer is matched by his enthusiasm for full-flavoured recipes - Mark Diacono.

From a slip of the tongue that led to the inception of his ‘Charlie Mojito’, to complementing mint with lovely cosmos, and tips for growing each for yourself, this episode offers an entertaining snapshot of Mark’s passionate plant-growing at Otter Farm, and a sneak peek into his upcoming book release. In this episode, discover:Mark’s favourite mint for food recipes and to pair with a good ginThe strange story behind a very unique mojito recipeHow to arrange cosmos with mintTips on sowing cosmos, a great plant for beginnersMark’s ideal recipe for mint sauceOrder Sarah’s book: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Arthur’s book: https://bit.ly/3xOov7H

View all products mentioned and find further advice from Sarah: https://bit.ly/3siLJBh Products mentioned:
Sorrel: https://bit.ly/39dHVJd
Cosmos: https://bit.ly/3rh5wPp
Mint: https://bit.ly/2PoH7ds Mark Diacono - ‘Herb/a cook’s companion’: https://bit.ly/2PoHfts

 Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/

Mint and Cosmos with Mark Diacono - Episode 9

Welcome to grow, cook, eat, arrange, the weekly podcast from gardener, writer, teacher,and cook, Sarah Raven. Over the last two decades, Sarah has led the way by introducing a new kind of productive gardening which places emphasis on intense colour, sophistication, and achievability. Recorded at the beautiful Perch Hill Farm in Sussex, Sarah talks with special guests from across garden design, floristry, food, ecology, conservation, and more. Brimming with top tips and helpful hints, listen and learn how to create your most productive garden ever. You can find out more about the products discussed in each episode or get in touch by visiting the website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

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Early May is on its way, bringing a fresh bloom of fragrant and fabulous flowers. It’s this abundance of impact and perfume on which Simon Lycett thrives. His style of floristry is so striking, and one from which we cannot fail but to learn - Simon joins us to share his highlights of the spring season and how you can choose the perfect varieties to create your own stunning arrangements. In this episode, discover:Simon’s recent endeavours with BBC Maestro, creating wonderful guides to decorating with flowersOur favourite garden & cut flowers for early May, with special mention for the absolute must-have Lily of the ValleyA unique irrigation tip if your garden is overly abundant with slugsSimon’s top tips for home-grown floristry, and the standout performers he’s been drawn to in recent yearsConnect with Simon: https://www.instagram.com/simonlycett Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/

Perfect plants for flawless, fabulous and fragrant floristry with Simon Lycett - Episode 168

Welcome back to our monthly Q&A; podcast episodes for April, where Sarah and Josie answer questions from you, our lovely listeners.

In this month’s episode, Sarah turns her attention to sweet peas as she shares how deep to sow seeds, and how far apart to sow them based on our trials at Perch Hill. Also this month, we hear which plants are ideal for planting out in April, particularly those that bring instant impact. 

Sarah takes us through what seeds should be sown now, from the ornamental garden featuring erigeron to the kitchen garden with kales and flat leaf parsley.

Josie also shares a wonderful selection of seeds that are ideal for growing cut flowers in containers, with a lovely mention for the likes of the cosmos sonata series. Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/

Q&A: How should I best sow sweet peas? What’s best to plant out in April for instant impact? Which seeds should I sow now in the garden, and for cut flowers in containers?

For any organic gardener, companion planting is one of the most essential, rewarding and productive ways to ward off bugs and fungal infections.

As the seasons are beginning to turn, it’s a wonderful time to recap the importance and joy of companion planting - Sarah is joined once again by Arthur Parkinson, where we revisit classic combinations, and share some unconventional pairings that you might not have considered.

In this episode, discover:The many reasons that companion planting is a fantastic alternative to chemical treatments in the gardenWhere and how to plant out tagetes for a reliable, much-loved source of protection against green and whiteflyWhich of the salvias are among our favourites to pair with roses, and when to plant them outThe often-underestimated use of basil as a companion plant, making it a perfect partner to tomatoes in the kitchen and garden alikeOrder Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg: 
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg
Products mentioned:
Tagetes tenuifoila 'Red Gem': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tagetes-red-gem
Tagetes tenuifolia 'Tangerine Gem': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tagetes-tenuifolia-tangerine-gem
Tagetes patula 'Linnaeus Burning Embers':
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tagetes-linnaeus
Salvia x jamensis 'Nachtvlinder': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/salvia-x-jamensis-nachtvlinder
Sweet Basil: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/basil-sweet
Tagetes minuta: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tagetes-minuta Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/

Perfect Pairings of Companion Plants with Arthur Parkinson - Episode 167

For those with a vegetable garden, The Pig’s offering is a source of inspiration and envy among many, all of which thrives under the watchful eye of Group Head Gardener, Ollie Hutson.

This week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ brings us a fantastic array of tips and recipes to take from Ollie’s expertise and bring into our own growing and cooking, drawing on a love of the natural world that’s spanned his entire life.

In this episode, discover:The Pig’s humble beginnings and the exciting expansion of its gorgeous hotelsHow Ollie, as Group Head Gardener, approaches the natural world and focuses on creating a ‘25 mile menu’What to sow in March and April to fill the ‘hungry gap’ in the kitchen gardenSome of Ollie’s favourite recipes, taking inspiration from The Pig’s luxury menuOllie Huston: https://twitter.com/olliehutson85
The Pig: https://www.thepighotel.com/
Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/

Draw Inspiration from The Pig’s Incredible Kitchen Garden with Ollie Hutson - Episode 166

Light levels are increasing and life in the garden is well and truly bustling, which makes this time of year such a joyful one for gardeners! 

Returning to our ‘Monthly Jobs’ series, this month’s episode sees Sarah & Josie share which flowers and edibles are perfect for sowing at this stage of the year, as well as how to revitalise your whopper pots once the Tulips go over. Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/

Mint and Cosmos with Mark Diacono - Episode 9

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