Drew Swainston
Drew started working as a journalist back in 2008 after gaining his National Council for the Training of Journalists qualifications. He wrote news and features for online news agencies and content providers, as well as spending time as Assistant Editor for trade newspapers and magazines. Gardening piqued his interest and he studied for a Level 3 Horticulture qualification. This opened up the chance to work as a professional gardener for several years. His journey saw him have the fantastic opportunity to work at the world famous arts and crafts garden Hidcote Manor Garden in the UK, and he also spent several years at Hanbury Hall gardens in the West Midlands, UK. During his gardening career he also specialized as a Kitchen Gardener. He previously grew edibles for the restaurants, deli and cookery school at Soho Farmhouse in the UK, and also produced year-round vegetables, microgreens, fruit and herbs for chefs at a prestigious restaurant.
He is passionate about walled gardens and always enjoyed propagating, growing and harvesting edibles, and producing cut flowers throughout the year. Throughout his time working outdoors he continued to write and is a member of the Garden Media Guild. He has run a blog called Perennial Nerd for many years, talking about his life working in and managing walled gardens, fantastic gardens he has visited, his allotment, and projects at home. His passion for gardening and a love for inspiring others to grow led him to write how-to growing guides and professional tips for clients and websites in the horticultural sector, and he's now bringing that same expertise and passion to Homes & Gardens.
Latest articles by Drew Swainston
-
How to perfectly time the final mow before winter to maintain a healthy lawn
When and how you do the last cut of the year impacts lawn health over winter and into spring
By Drew Swainston Last updated
-
When to prune barberry – experts reveal the exact timing for deciduous and evergreen varieties
Keep your flowering shrubs in top condition – just remember gloves as pruning barberry can be a prickly job
By Drew Swainston Published
-
How to grow chicory for tangy leafy greens to spice up cold season dishes
All you need to grow chicory from sowing to harvesting - including expert tips for forcing plants
By Drew Swainston Published
-
Do you need to prune ferns? Expert gardeners say yes, plus when and how to do it
Knowing when to prune ferns keeps them healthy and looking at their best
By Drew Swainston Published
-
DIY cloche ideas – experts recommend 5 alternatives to protect plants from cold and pests
Proven solutions to keep plants safe, including the best materials to pick for homemade garden cloches
By Drew Swainston Published
-
How to grow a pear tree – an expert guide to healthy and productive fruit, from planting to harvesting
Discover all about growing pears with tips from experienced fruit tree specialists
By Drew Swainston Published
-
7 flowers to sow in December for earlier blooms and gloriously long displays next year
Sowing flower seeds indoors this month allows you to get ahead and the reward can be earlier flowers
By Drew Swainston Last updated
-
8 vegetables to harvest in December for delicious and hearty winter meals
Winter crops can taste all the sweeter after a few frosts and are perfect for Christmas plates
By Drew Swainston Last updated
-
How to grow lovage – for perennial harvests of a surprisingly sweet and celery-like crop
Discover why more gardeners should consider this low-maintenance and vigorous herb
By Drew Swainston Published
-
I've grown vegetables for 12 years, and these are the best herbs, flowers, and fruit to use as lettuce companion plants – plus the ones to avoid
Get lettuce companion planting right and you'll get bigger, healthier crops from your kitchen garden
By Drew Swainston Published
-
Do you need to prune lantana? Why trimming will result in prolific blooms
It may be of some debate, but pruning perennial and annual lantana plants keeps them controlled and thriving
By Drew Swainston Published
-
8 plants to prune in December for flourishing trees and shrubs next year
Both edible and ornamental plants will benefit from trimming this month
By Drew Swainston Last updated
-
When to prune hedges – get the timing right for healthy growth with our expert guide
It all depends on the type of hedging plants – discover when to prune evergreen, deciduous and conifer hedges
By Drew Swainston Published
-
When and how to harvest cranberries – and get ripe fruits for your holiday dinner plates
How to identify a ripe cranberry, along with expert harvesting tips
By Drew Swainston Published
-
‘Mulberry pruning needs a gentle hand’, say tree experts – discover when and how to trim these fruiting trees
A guide to mulberry pruning, with expert tips for healthy and productive fruit trees
By Drew Swainston Published
-
7 plants to never prune in December – put the pruning shears down if you want to guarantee gorgeous spring displays
Avoid pruning these popular shrubs this month, and discover exactly when it's right to trim them
By Drew Swainston Published
-
7 plants to propagate in December – expert advice for easy and successful winter cuttings
Taking hardwood cuttings is a reliable way to propagate new shrubs during the dormant season
By Drew Swainston Published
-
7 vegetables to plant in December – you don't even need a greenhouse to sow these crops over winter
It may be cold outdoors, but you can sow vegetable seeds inside. Discover our expert list of what to plant this month along with tips for successful sowing
By Drew Swainston Published
-
I found these thornproof gloves really do protect against spikey plants in my garden
Spikey roses and blackberries met their match with these thornproof gloves
By Drew Swainston Published
-
How to regrow leeks in 6 simple steps to get a second harvest from scraps
Hold onto that root end as it can be used to grow another leek
By Drew Swainston Published
-
5 of the easiest fruit trees to grow in pots – for successful harvests in a container garden or indoors
These fruit trees are simple to grow on a deck, patio, balcony, or in a sunny spot in a greenhouse, conservatory, or porch
By Drew Swainston Published
-
8 frost hardy perennials ideal for northern gardens – these plants can survive freezing winters and still come back each spring
This selection of frost tolerant perennials are suitable for gardens in colder climates
By Drew Swainston Published
-
8 plants to prune in November for healthy trees, shrubs, and perennials
A guide to what you should trim this month for great blooms and top crops next year
By Drew Swainston Last updated
-
When to prune limelight hydrangeas – and expert trimming tips for fantastic blooms
Getting the timing right for pruning ensures new, healthy growth to carry that year’s flowers
By Drew Swainston Last updated