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, and he also spent several years at Hanbury Hall Gardens. 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, and also produced year-round vegetables, microgreens, fruit and herbs for chefs at a Michelin-starred 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 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
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Plant These 7 Self-Seeding, Native Flowers Once and Let Nature Do the Rest – They'll Feed Pollinators for YearsCreate a rich, pollinator-friendly garden that will develop and blossom
By Drew Swainston Published
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Avoid This 1 Major Fertilizing Mistake in August – What to Do Instead for More Flowers and FruitsUsing the wrong type of fertilizer risks causing major harm to your plants
By Drew Swainston Published
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3 Simple Things to Do in August to Give Your Container Garden a Late-Summer LiftTry a few refinements rather than a complete overhaul
By Drew Swainston Published
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When Not to Water a New Lawn – Experts Reveal 5 Reasons to Put the Sprinkler AwayKnowing when not to water helps to keep your new lawn healthy
By Drew Swainston Published
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Sow These Grasses for a Drought-Tolerant Lawn That Looks Great Even in the HeatDiscover the top warm-season and cool-season grasses for a drought-tolerant lawn
By Drew Swainston Published
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What to Do With Pumpkins in August for Bigger, Healthier Fruits This Fall5 jobs for August that’ll guarantee you perfect pumpkins
By Drew Swainston Published
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This $10 Watering Tool Saves You So Much Time – You Can Water Two Parts of the Garden at OnceA hose splitter turns one tap into two outlets – what will you use yours for?
By Drew Swainston Published
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August Is the Perfect Time to Put Down Compost – and Here’s the Best Way to Do ItExperts all agree that compost offers valuable benefits as a top dressing this month
By Drew Swainston Published
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What Your Blueberries Need Right Now – 4 Ways to Keep the Harvests Coming This AugustHere’s what to do with a blueberry bush in August
By Drew Swainston Published
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If You Only Have 15 Minutes to Garden, These Are the Jobs Experts Say Are Worth Your Time in SummerYou don’t need long sessions of gardening to make a difference
By Drew Swainston Published
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This Simple $25 Tomato Tool Directs Water Straight to the Roots – So You Use Less and Grow MoreLevel up your tomato watering game with these super-useful rings
By Drew Swainston Published
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Perennials to Cut Back Now for a Second Flush of Blooms – and The Ones to Leave AloneIt's not too late for a bonus round of flowers
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to Revive Tired Delphiniums – 5 Tasks for a Second Flush of Flower SpikesHow to give your delphiniums a floral boost in August
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to Keep Annual Flowers Blooming Until Frost – 3 Expert Tricks For Months More Glorious ColorAn experienced flower farmer reveals her secrets to long-lasting displays
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to Revive Tired Tomato Plants in Late Summer – 5 Tasks to Keep the Harvests ComingEnd the season strong with these expert tips
By Drew Swainston Published
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What to Do With Raspberry Plants in August – 6 Essential Tasks for Bigger, Better CropsJobs for the month to keep your raspberries healthy and productive year after year
By Drew Swainston Published
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Plant This Drought-Tolerant Shrub for Vivid Color and Blooms That Pollinators Will Love in Late SummerCaryopteris, or bluebeard, is grown for stunning flowers and foliage – and you’ll love how low-maintenance it is
By Drew Swainston Published
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Deadheading These 7 Flowers in August Will Give You Glorious Blooms Into FallDeadheading is a simple, enjoyable job for the month that brings great rewards
By Drew Swainston Published
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August Is the Perfect Time to Take Shrub Cuttings – How to Get New Plants for Free in Late SummerOur picks of plants to propagate in August from semi-ripe cuttings
By Drew Swainston Published
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This $40 Japanese Tool Replaces Half the Kit I Use in My Garden – It Weeds, Tills, and PlantsA Japanese hand hoe and tiller prepares soil and removes weeds with ease
By Drew Swainston Published
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Tomato Plants Being Eaten Overnight? Tomato Hornworms Could Be to Blame – Here's How to Stop ThemA second generation of tomato hornworms strikes in mid-to-late summer
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to Repair Brown Patches in Your Lawn After Intense Summer Heat – So It Comes Back Stronger Next YearExperts reveal 5 stages for restoring a lawn to its lush best after a tough summer
By Drew Swainston Published
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This 1-Minute Chrysanthemum Trick Will Reward You With Bigger, More Spectacular Blooms That Will Last Through FallThis technique is perfect if you are growing flowers for cutting
By Drew Swainston Published
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Summer Pruning Fruit Trees Can Improve Harvests This Year and Next – Here Are 5 to Trim in AugustMany fruit trees benefit from pruning after being picked in summer
By Drew Swainston Published
