
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
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Why is my succulent turning yellow? Discover the 'usual suspects' often responsible for making plants discolor
Learn what might be causing foliage to turn yellow and the changes you can make to your succulent care routine to alleviate the problem
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to pick honeydew – experts share handy tricks to help you harvest perfectly ripe fruit
Discover the color and feel that shows when honeydews are ready to harvest
By Drew Swainston Published
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5 reasons why you should clean garden pots – and how skipping this step is killing your plants
There are good reasons why you should be cleaning garden pots: dirty pots can harbor pests, disease and mineral build ups that can damage plants
By Drew Swainston Published
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Rose care and growing guide – expert tips for beautiful blooms every summer
Discover how to grow roses successfully to ensure your shrubs put on a beautiful show of fragrant flowers
By Drew Swainston Published
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Do marigolds keep bugs away? How to use these pungent plants to deter pests
Discover the natural pest deterrent benefits that come with the colorful and abundant blooms of marigolds and how they can be used in your garden
By Drew Swainston Published
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Tomato pests that will destroy your plants – and garden experts' best ways to combat them organically
Discover recommended organic methods to combat many common tomato pests, including aphids, tomato hornworms, fruit worms, spider mites, slugs and snails
By Drew Swainston Published
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How and when to fertilize cucumbers – for a bounty of fruits each summer
Regular feeding is important to keep this hungry crop producing lots of tasty cucumbers
By Drew Swainston Published
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Why every gardener should know about the 3-hour gardening rule – professionals offer this warning
Simple recommendations from an experienced gardener to help make sensible decisions when gardening in the summer, and why your plants can benefit too
By Drew Swainston Published
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‘Save your time and money’ – why experts say don't use weed and feed on your lawn in midsummer
An early season application is recommended, but using the products in the middle of summer can damage a lawn
By Drew Swainston Published
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Tomato diseases – expert tips and techniques to help avoid and deal with common problems
Spotting the early signs of diseases is often key to helping plants survive
By Drew Swainston Published
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When to pick cantaloupes – learn how to use this tried-and-tested technique
A ripe cantaloupe is a treat for your nose with their sweet and delectable scent
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to water plants – 10 ways to make watering more efficient for less wastage and healthier plants
Knowing how to water properly is as important as understanding when to water
By Drew Swainston Published
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Do you deadhead butterfly bushes? Here's what to do to encourage more blooms
The choice remains whether to remove old flowers or leave them in place for wildlife
By Drew Swainston Published
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How and when to harvest shallots – take care lifting the prized crop
Each bulb planted will grow into a number of delicious and versatile shallots
By Drew Swainston Published
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Do you need to prune eggplants? Experts are split on the merits of reaching for the pruning shears
To prune or not to prune? We take a look at any potential advantages and how to properly complete the task
By Drew Swainston Published
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Regular monitoring is ‘vital’ to catching zucchini diseases early and saving your plants
Learn the signs to look out for and measures to take to help keep zucchini healthy
By Drew Swainston Published
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What are edimentals? Discover all about these beautiful and tasty plants and how to add them to a space
Herbs can provide a perfect starting point to the world of low-maintenance edible and ornamental plants
By Drew Swainston Published
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Is bamboo drought-tolerant? How to choose the best types to survive dry conditions
The drought tolerance of bamboo can take several years to build up, as the plant gets itself fully established
By Drew Swainston Published
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How and when to fertilize corn – our experts reveal the ideal times to feed crops
How to choose the right fertilizer for the right time to get a great harvest
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow roses in pots – expert tips to guarantee your container roses flourish
Roses can thrive in pots and give beautiful blooms in small spaces
By Drew Swainston Published
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Experts reveal how and when to fertilize azaleas to ensure you have happy and healthy shrubs
Azaleas are acid-loving plants that want an ericaceous feed to keep them blooming
By Drew Swainston Published
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How do I fix an overwatered plant? The warning signs – and ways to combat excessive moisture
Tell-tale indicators such as yellow leaves, wilting, and green soil can mean too much moisture and it has the potential to kill plants
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to harvest kale so it keeps growing – our experts reveal the ways for maximum cropping
Start from the bottom and work upwards for the longest harvest period possible
By Drew Swainston Published
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Dahlia diseases – expert tips to mitigate many potential risks to your blooms
Learn the dahlia diseases to look out for and how you can keep your dahlias healthy to guarantee a stunning display of blooms each year
By Drew Swainston Published