
grow, cook, eat, arrange with Sarah Raven & friends
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/
grow, cook, eat, arrange with Sarah Raven & friends
Talking biodynamics and biodiversity in growing cut flowers with Alfie Nickerson - Episode 211
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 creating the biodiverse haven that is Burnt Fen Flowers, as well as sharing his favourite annuals and dahlias, on this week’s episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’.
In this episode, discover:
- Alfie’s early gardening experiences in London, and what drew him to the Norfolk countryside
- The incredible work behind Burnt Fen’s biodynamic flower crop
- How they prioritise biodiversity in their practices, and what that biodiversity gives back to the land
- Alfie’s absolute favourite varieties of annuals and dahlias for cutting
Visit Burnt Fen Flowers: https://burntfenflowers.com/
Products mentioned:
Ammi majus
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/ammi-majus
Helichrysum bracteatum 'White' (Sunflower)
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/helichrysum-bracteatum-white
Zinnia elegans 'Giant Purple Prince'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/zinnia-elegans-giant-purple-prince
Papaver somniferum 'Black Swan'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/papaver-somniferum-black-swan
Dahlia 'Jowey Winnie'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-jowey-winnie
Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/
Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest