
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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Can you plant grass seed in winter? Lawn experts reveal how this is possible, plus why doing so saves you time in spring
Discover what dormant seeding is and exactly how to do it
By Drew Swainston Published
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Seeds to sow in US hardiness zone 7 in February – flowers, vegetables, and herbs to start indoors for a longer season
Discover 9 plants to sow this month, and place outside after the last frosts
By Drew Swainston Published
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9 February gardening jobs you can do now to guarantee a successful growing season and long-lasting color
From pruning and planting to propagating, discover the essential February gardening jobs to do outdoors and in
By Drew Swainston Published
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9 plants to prune in February – trimming tips from an expert horticulturist for spectacular summer displays
From shrubs and edibles, to climbers, hedges, and grasses, discover the ideal plants to prune this month
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow a loquat tree to bring sweetness and prosperity – with planting and care advice from fruit experts
From planting trees to picking fruits, this guide covers all you need to know for great harvests of loquats
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow frisee from seed – for fast peppery leaves to liven up your salads
Growing frisee is simple and speedy, and there are two ideal times of year to sow
By Drew Swainston Published
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8 trees to prune in January – plus advice from an experienced gardener on how to trim
Many popular deciduous trees are among the best to prune this month
By Drew Swainston Last updated
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Redbuds need ‘very little pruning’ to be beautiful flowering trees – discover trimming tips from a national collection holder
When and how to prune redbud trees for healthy specimens and glorious spring flowering displays
By Drew Swainston Published
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Why is my lawn yellowing in winter? A turf expert reveals the causes and how to help grass recover
A yellowing lawn in winter may be common, but should it be concerning?
By Drew Swainston Published
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7 ways to avoid bad hedge cutting – gardening professionals reveal the most common trimming mistakes and how not to fall foul of them
Discover exactly how to avoid having unattractive and unhealthy hedges
By Drew Swainston Published
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11 plants to propagate in winter – we show how simple it is to get more of your best-loved shrubs from cuttings
Why not start propagating in winter and get more plants for free? It can be done with hardwood cuttings from these popular shrubs
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to prune an orange tree – 6 simple steps recommended by experienced horticulturists for healthy trees and delicious crops
Discover the best time to prune an orange tree, and exactly what to trim
By Drew Swainston Published
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What are lawn shrimp – and 4 ways to combat them as recommended by pest control experts
The tiny critters can be a major inconvenience in a garden, plus they can also make their way into homes
By Drew Swainston Published
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8 of the best plants to prune in January for healthy and vigorous shrubs and fruit bushes
The best plants to tackle this month and tips from an experienced gardener to help you prune correctly
By Drew Swainston Last updated
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When and how to prune junipers – we reveal the expert techniques to avoid bare patches and bald spots in your evergreens
Prune lightly and thoughtfully, as these slow-growing shrubs take time to recover
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow lychee – a tropical tree expert outlines the key areas you must get right to unlock the beauty and bounty of a lychee tree
Warmth, drainage, watering, and patience are key to success with lychee
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to prune quince trees – advice from an arborist to ensure they're less vulnerable to disease and reward you with large harvests of fragrant fruit
Quince trees don’t want lots of pruning, but what they do need keeps them highly productive
By Drew Swainston Published
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7 of the easiest superfoods to grow at home – for healthy and nutrient-rich harvests from your vegetable garden
Advice for growing your own superfoods from an experienced vegetable grower
By Drew Swainston Published
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6 things lawn experts warn to never do to your grass in winter – and what you should be doing instead
Making these winter lawn care mistakes can cause huge damage to your grass
By Drew Swainston Published
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‘Papaya are exceptionally easy to grow’ – a tropical plant expert reveals the secrets to success
Papaya trees are fast-growing and versatile tropical plants that can provide bumper harvests
By Drew Swainston Published
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5 ways to get rid of ticks on lawns for good, according to pest and lawn experts
Discover the best natural methods to kill ticks on lawns, and ways to prevent them
By Drew Swainston Published
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2 ways to prune geraniums for winter, according to gardening pros, to ensure plants stay healthy during the colder seasons
These tender geraniums need winter protection in many areas – and can be overwintered in two ways
By Drew Swainston Last updated
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8 vegetables to plant in January – you can unlock the potential of earlier harvests by sowing seeds this month
Discover how to extend the growing season by sowing vegetable crops indoors this month
By Drew Swainston Last updated
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How to grow orach – why you need to discover this surprisingly easy-to-grow and nutrient-rich leafy green
Orach is a historic crop and a fantastic alternative to spinach – it won’t bolt when the temperatures rise
By Drew Swainston Published