Latest articles by Drew Swainston
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7 Trees that Thrive When Pruned in February – Late Winter Conditions Are an Ideal Time to TrimSee edible and ornamental trees to trim this month, plus professional pruning tips
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You Can Revive Tired Perennials in February – Divide These 7 for More Blooms and New Plants for FreeThe right time to divide does depend on your climate
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Hostas Will Stop Weeds Before They Start – Let These Natural Groundcovers Do The Hard Work For YouThe pros and cons of using hostas to keep weeds at bay
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7 Vegetables You Can Grow in Hanging Baskets – for Amazing Harvests in Tiny SpacesSpace needn't be an issue to grow tasty homegrown vegetables
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I Grew Edible Flowers for Michelin-star Restaurants, and These Are the 5 Easiest to Grow From Seed – You Can Sow Them NowYou can sow and grow lots of easy edible flowers from seed indoors and outdoors
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Fan-Trained Fruit Trees Need Regular Trimming, but Timing and Techniques Vary – Discover the Best Approach for Different FruitsAn expert guide to pruning new and established fan-shaped fruit trees to keep them healthy and productive
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Pro Gardeners Swear by This Greenhouse Self-Watering System That Keeps Seedlings Hydrated – And Removes the Risk of OverwateringI have used non-toxic capillary matting for years, and here’s why you should, too
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February Is a Peak Pruning Time, but You Must Target the Right Plants – These 7 Will Give Stunning Displays if Trimmed This MonthOur pick of shrubs, climbers, and perennial plants to prune this February
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Plant These Vegetables in February Under a Cold Frame or Cloche to Enjoy Some of the Earliest Homegrown Harvests This SeasonGet ahead and sow a great range of veggies this month, they’ll thrive with a bit of protection
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Get Ahead by Sowing These 7 Flower Seeds in February – You’ll Love the Early Displays of Stunning BloomsMake friends and neighbors jealous of your speedy show thanks to our expert sowing tips
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Organic Gardeners All Agree That Adding This Natural, Non-Toxic 'Black Gold' to Your Soil Will Turbo Charge PlantsDiscover exactly how worm castings benefit plants, and how to use them
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Start These 7 Easy Crops Now for Home-Grown Smoothies by SummerGrow your own smoothie garden for super-fresh harvests without the downsides of store-bought products
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The 5 Sought-After Plants a Professional Gardener Always Buys in February – Before They Sell OutWhat I order early every year to be sure my garden is well-stocked for summer
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Did You Know Trees Can Explode Due to Extreme Cold? Here’s the Reality of Keeping You and Your Property Safe in WinterFrost cracks are real, but the main safety concern should be a build-up of snow and ice on branches
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Pruning Almonds Is Essential for Strong Trees and Stunning Blooms – and It All Starts From the Moment You Plant ItDon’t be daunted by this task, with our tips for when and how to prune almond trees of all ages
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Did You Know You Can Grow a Sweet Potato in Water – and Get a Dozen New Plants for Free? Here's How in 7 Easy StepsWhy not get a second crop from homegrown sweet potatoes? Let's talk about slips
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You Don’t Need Soil to Regrow Store-Bought Basil – Just Take Cuttings and Add WaterExpert tips for propagating basil sustainably from your grocery shop
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How to Cover Seeds to Boost Germination – and Which Ones Need Light, InsteadNot all seeds need to be covered for them to sprout
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Frost Heave Is a Hidden Danger That Can Damage Plants – This Easy 'Forgotten' Task Can Prevent It From HappeningDiscover why mulching is the best way to protect your plants in winter
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Stop Early-Season Sowings from Failing – 5 Steps for Strong, Reliable Seed StartsWhat to get right when growing plants from seed in winter
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2026 is Officially the Year of the Hot Pepper – 3 Types of Chili You Can Grow Almost AnywhereFrom super hot to deliciously sweet, the National Garden Bureau want you to discover chili peppers this year
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I Do This One Tidy-up in My Greenhouse Every January, and It Saves Me Hours Come SpringAvoid wasting time and effort once the sowing season gets going
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The Best Native Honeysuckles to Get Pollinators and Hummingbirds Flocking to Your Garden – plus the Non-Native Plants to AvoidNative honeysuckle varieties are beautiful and beneficial, unlike non-native ones
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Ferns in Pots Add Glorious Texture to a Patio – These Are the Best 5, Say Experts, From the Thousands You Can Choose FromFerns can bring movement and seasonal interest to smaller spaces
