
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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How to grow Artemisia abrotanum – this herb will give you sweet, citrussy foliage ideal for lining paths
Southernwood is hugely versatile – here’s how to have thriving plants in or outside a herb garden
By Drew Swainston Published
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4 reasons you should plant trees in a vegetable garden – plus experts reveal the secrets to help you reap the rewards
See how agroforestry principles can help boost your soil and harvests
By Drew Swainston Published
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9 of the best vegetables to grow using the square foot gardening method – for big harvests in small spaces
Plus how many of each vegetable can be grown per square foot
By Drew Swainston Published
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Now is the time to prune hawthorn trees to keep them healthy and attractive – 5 expert-recommended steps to follow for proper trimming
Avoid unnecessarily stressing your trees by pruning at the right time and not getting carried away
By Drew Swainston Published
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What are beneficial nematodes? Plus how to use these microscopic organisms to combat common garden pests
Suitable for organic gardening and safe to use – beneficial nematodes are small but powerful
By Drew Swainston Published
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Should I drop my seedlings to separate them? 4 horticulturist-recommended ways to separate seedlings safely to avoid killing them, and what to never do
Always separate seedlings carefully and don’t damage their delicate stems
By Drew Swainston Published
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Early spring is the ideal time to apply lawn sand to improve drainage, kill moss, and more – how to pick the perfect moment to have a healthy, green lawn
Lawn experts reveal the best conditions to apply lawn sand, and some pitfalls to avoid
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow loganberries – for heavy and reliable crops of large, juicy raspberry-like fruits
From planting to harvesting, this is all you need to know about growing loganberries
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow papyrus outdoors – and enjoy a firework-like display of foliage from these easy-to-grow, moisture-loving plants
These water plants have been grown for thousands of years and are great for backyards
By Drew Swainston Published
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Hydrangea trees can add a stunning vertical element to a garden – discover how to train and trim one with tips from a hydrangea expert
We reveal how you can form your own – plus how to maintain one, whether you buy a pre-trained hydrangea tree or do it yourself
By Drew Swainston Published
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This is your last chance to prune oak trees to avoid a potentially fatal disease that can kill trees within months, arborists reveal
Stay safe and discover what you can prune at different times of the year
By Drew Swainston Published
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Slit seeding a lawn is ideal for reinvigorating thin or patchy grass – turf experts reveal when and how to do this modern method of overseeding
Transform thin, patchy grass into a thick and beautiful lawn in 4 simple steps
By Drew Swainston Published
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4 reasons you should use seaweed in the garden, plus the plants that benefit most from this natural marvel
Have thriving plants, more flowers and fruit, and healthier soil thanks to seaweed
By Drew Swainston Published
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Ramps are highly prized spring harvests for chefs – discover how to grow your own at home from bulbs or seeds to have rich pickings for years to come
Growing ramps, or wild leeks, does require patience, but the rewards are worth the wait
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow mangelwurzel – for a versatile and wondrous multi-purpose historic vegetable
This easy-to-grow and incredibly productive crop may become your favorite new vegetable
By Drew Swainston Published
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7 trees to prune in March before it is too late, plus trimming tips from an expert horticulturist
Discover our pick of trees that may require some attention this month
By Drew Swainston Published
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I grew flowers for dazzling displays and cutting in historic gardens – here are my 7 essential picks of the best flowers to sow in March
This range of flowers to sow in March will bring color and texture to beds, as well as attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators
By Drew Swainston Published
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7 of the easiest vegetables to plant in March – even beginners can prosper with these simple-to-grow crops
Discover easy crops to sow and get expert planting tips from an expert vegetable gardener
By Drew Swainston Published
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Do you need to soak seeds before planting? We reveal the benefits and 12 seeds you must soak, plus those you shouldn’t
Soaking seeds in water can help with germination, but it is not a prerequisite nor suitable for all seeds
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow guava trees outdoors – tropical fruit experts reveal the secrets to success
Discover how to have happy, healthy guava trees and a bounty of sweet tropical fruits
By Drew Swainston Published
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How and when to prune a yellowwood tree – why arborists say it's vital to trim young trees to ensure a long lifespan
Yellowwood trees are susceptible to splitting if not pruned properly to develop a strong structure
By Drew Swainston Published
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Did you know you can grow a pear tree from seed? Discover how to go from fruit to sapling in 7 simple steps
It requires patience and there are no guarantees, but it can still be a fun and rewarding gardening experiment
By Drew Swainston Published
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A greenhouse hotbed can extend your growing season – here is how to build one in 4 simple steps
Hotbeds have been used for hundreds of years to generate heat for sowing or planting earlier in the year
By Drew Swainston Published
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Expert horticulturists reveal 5 clematis pruning mistakes to avoid if you want spectacular floral displays
Why you need to prune at the right time and not remove too much or too little
By Drew Swainston Published