Digest

This episode of Grow Cook Eat Arrange features Sarah Raven and Jemima Boucher, who discuss their experiences at the Chelsea Flower Show. Jemima, who has worked with Sarah for three years, shares her insights on the challenges and rewards of building a garden from scratch, including the anxiety of not knowing what to expect and the satisfaction of seeing it all come together. They also discuss the importance of having a good team and the melancholic feeling of seeing the show come down. Sarah and Jemima then move on to discuss gardening for beginners, particularly those with balconies. Jemima shares her ideas for containers, plants, and edible climbers that are suitable for small spaces. They also discuss the importance of choosing the right plants for different sun exposures and the benefits of using a potting table for balcony gardening. Finally, they discuss the importance of using the right compost for stashiums and the benefits of growing mushrooms at home. Jemima also shares her recommendations for quick and easy plants to sow now, including zinnias, sunflowers, and runner beans.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Chelsea Flower Show Recap

This Chapter introduces the podcast and its hosts, Sarah Raven and Jemima Boucher. Jemima shares her experiences at the Chelsea Flower Show, highlighting the challenges and rewards of building a garden from scratch. She describes the anxiety of not knowing what to expect, the satisfaction of seeing it all come together, and the importance of having a good team. She also shares her feelings about the melancholic feeling of seeing the show come down.

00:08:52

Beginner Gardening Tips for Balconies

This Chapter focuses on gardening for beginners, particularly those with balconies. Jemima shares her ideas for containers, plants, and edible climbers that are suitable for small spaces. She discusses the importance of choosing the right plants for different sun exposures and the benefits of using a potting table for balcony gardening.

00:23:18

Mushrooms and Edible Gardening

This Chapter delves into the world of mushrooms and edible gardening. Sarah and Jemima discuss the benefits of growing mushrooms at home, including the ease of use and the potential for using the spent compost for other plants. They also discuss the importance of choosing the right variety of mushrooms for different growing conditions.

00:25:37

What to Sow Now for Beginner Gardeners

This Chapter provides advice for beginner gardeners on what to sow now. Jemima shares her recommendations for quick and easy plants to sow now, including zinnias, sunflowers, and runner beans. She also discusses the importance of choosing plants that are suitable for the current season and the benefits of growing edible climbers.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are some of the challenges and rewards of building a garden from scratch?

  Jemima shares that the biggest challenge was the anxiety of not knowing what to expect, but the reward was seeing it all come together and the satisfaction of a successful project. She also emphasizes the importance of having a good team to help with the process.

• What are some tips for beginner gardeners who are gardening on a balcony?

  Jemima recommends using containers, choosing plants that are suitable for different sun exposures, and using a potting table to make the process easier. She also suggests using edible climbers to maximize space and add interest to the balcony.

• What are some of the benefits of growing mushrooms at home?

  Sarah and Jemima discuss the ease of use and the potential for using the spent compost for other plants. They also highlight the opportunity to grow varieties that are not readily available in supermarkets.

• What are some quick and easy plants to sow now for beginner gardeners?

  Jemima recommends zinnias, sunflowers, and runner beans. She emphasizes the importance of choosing plants that are suitable for the current season and the benefits of growing edible climbers.

• What are some tips for growing stashiums?

  Sarah explains that stashiums thrive in poor soil conditions and prefer a starvation diet. She recommends diluting peat-free compost with an inert material like grit or gravel to encourage flowering.

• What are some of the benefits of using a potting table for balcony gardening?

  Jemima shares that a potting table provides a dedicated space for potting up plants, keeping tools and supplies organized, and making the process more efficient.

• What are some of the benefits of growing edible climbers on a balcony?

  Jemima highlights that edible climbers can provide a source of fresh food, add vertical interest to the balcony, and create a sense of privacy.

• What are some of the benefits of growing mushrooms at home?

  Sarah and Jemima discuss the ease of use, the potential for using the spent compost for other plants, and the opportunity to grow varieties that are not readily available in supermarkets.

• What are some of the benefits of growing runner beans?

  Jemima highlights that runner beans are a productive and easy-to-grow vegetable that can be eaten fresh, frozen, or dried. She also mentions that the flowers are edible and can be added to salads or risottos.

• What are some of the benefits of growing zinnias?

  Jemima explains that zinnias are a low-maintenance flower that will add color and interest to the garden. She also mentions that they are a good source of nectar for pollinators.

Show Notes