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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7 flowers to sow in February to provide beautiful blooms in beds, borders, or containers
Sow seeds indoors early for fabulous flowers and get a long season of blooms to enjoy
By Drew Swainston Published
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When and how to prune drift roses to keep these compact bushes blooming
A little bit of pruning each year can go a long way
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to prune an apricot tree – key trimming steps for young and established plants
Increase your chances of a bumper crop of apricots each year, thanks to proper and planned pruning
By Drew Swainston Published
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What is lawn rust? Expert advice for easily preventing and treating the issue
Discover the symptoms to watch out for, and learn how to prevent spreading the problem to other areas of your lawn
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow rutabaga – tips for growing this underappreciated sweet and earthy crop from seed
It is possible to enjoy two harvesting seasons for rutabaga each year
By Drew Swainston Published
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8 tree pruning mistakes to avoid – experts reveal how to steer clear of bad tree trimming
Keep your trees healthy and thriving by knowing some key tree pruning rules to follow
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow jalapeno peppers and get an outstanding crop of flavorful fruits
Jalapeno peppers can be grown either indoors or outdoors - depending on your climate
By Drew Swainston Published
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When to plant Brussels sprouts – for long seasons and bumper harvests
Help guarantee Brussels sprouts for Christmas by planting them at the ideal time
By Drew Swainston Published
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Discover how to prune crabapple trees of all ages – whether free-standing or trained trees
Pruning is an important way to maintain the size, shape, and health of a crabapple tree
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow dahlias from seed – floral experts hail ‘exciting and fascinating possibilities’ it offers
Sowing dahlia seeds is a simple way to get colorful blooms, and also a potentially fun experiment
By Drew Swainston Published
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When to prune an apricot tree – there are two windows to trim, according to fruit experts
The age and productivity of an apricot tree will impact when you should prune
By Drew Swainston Published
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How and when to prune an oakleaf hydrangea – pick the right moment or risk missing out on a year of flowers
It is key to know your hydrangeas before heading out to prune
By Drew Swainston Published
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I grew hundreds of onions every year – here’s what I learned about when to plant onion seeds
Growing from seed may require extra time and effort - but it is worth it for the end results
By Drew Swainston Published
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When to plant trees – why getting the timing right means healthy trees and less labor
Discover when to plant a tree in the ground or a container, and what times of year to avoid
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to deal with fairy rings on lawns – simple, pro ways to get rid of the issue
Lawn fairy rings can show as three different symptoms, and how it appears may affect your treatment approach
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow mizuna – and why you should sow successionally for long harvests
This easy-to-grow crop provides multiple harvests from each plant
By Drew Swainston Published
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Types of garlic to plant in spring – 6 of the best varieties to consider
You can plant garlic in spring, though some varieties are better than others for planting early in the year
By Drew Swainston Published
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When to prune crabapple trees to keep them in top condition
Discover the best time to trim crabapples, along with when to keep the pruning shears away
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to prune tree branches – 5 tips to trim safely and correctly
Discover top advice for pruning tree branches, along with common pitfalls to avoid
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to get rid of ants on lawns – an expert hails the ‘safest effective natural solution’ to the problem
Natural approaches to combating ants are better for people and pets
By Drew Swainston Published
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When to prune trees – experts reveal the best timings, and also the worst
When should you prune trees? Discover the answer for both deciduous and evergreen ornamental trees
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow black-eyed peas – tips for success with this heat-loving vegetable
Black-eyed peas are best started from seeds sown directly into the ground
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow winter purslane – an underappreciated plant perfect for winter salads
You can enjoy long harvests of leaves, even through the cold and usually-lean winter months
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow summer cabbages – from sowing to harvesting and everything in between
Sow these brassicas in winter or spring to enjoy delicious cabbages during the summer months
By Drew Swainston Published