Our second speaker zone this year is the new Sow, Grow & Cook Tipi. Located on the North Lawn of the Castle, overlooking the picturesque deer park and Exe estuary in the distance, this demo tipi is new for 2018 and showcases gardening experts, growers and chefs who are here to share their tips for success.

On Friday 27th April, Dr Ian Bedford, Head of Entomology for the renowned John Innes Centre in Norwich speaks on butterflies and which plants to grow to encourage these fascinating insects into your garden and veg plot, followed by fermenting experts Katie Venner from Tracebridge Sourdough and Jo Webster from Wondergut.com who will be explaining the benefits of fermented veg on the body’s microflora and showing how to ferment your vegetables in the kitchen.

In the afternoon, gardener-chef Anita Clare-Field from award-winning Devon restaurant La Petite Bouchee will be revealing what she grows in a small garden and whipping up some unusual veg dishes for you to try at home.

We’re delighted Devon nurseryman Kevin Croucher of Thornhayes Nursery is here, revealing insider tips of how he grafts thousands of apple trees every year. Finally, Aldetha Raymond from the new gardening app Candide, rounds up the talks, sharing her advice on the good, bad and ugly – how to recognise insect friends and foes in the garden.

On Saturday 28th, Dr Ian Bedford returns followed by a talk from Toby on growing veg in small spaces, then we welcome Sara Venn from Edible Bristol to tell us about her experience of growing veg in city-spaces along with a seed-sowing workshop.

Organic chef Danny Evans from Feniton Foods who was has cooked for music stars including Phil Collins and Tina Turner, heads up the afternoon, demonstrating vegan and vegetarian dishes and showing how to use up gluts in the kitchen with cauliflower popcorn and courgette spaghetti. Be prepared for some tasty tasters! 

All talks in the Sow, Grow & Cook Tipi are free to festival visitors, no need to book. Full timetable here