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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I worked as a professional in kitchen gardens across the UK – here are my tips for choosing the best organic mulch for a vegetable garden
Mulching your beds with organic material is key for healthy soil and happy crops and it can be done throughout the year
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow yardlong beans – and get a bumper harvest with our expert guide
Impress your family and friends with stunning, super-sized beans
By Drew Swainston Published
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How often to fertilize a lawn – 3 key factors that influence the number of feeds your grass needs a year
How many times should you fertilize your lawn? The answer depends on location, soil type, and choice of feed
By Drew Swainston Published
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Worm holes in your apples? Discover how to identify and treat codling moth to avoid a ruined apple harvest
Expert tips to spot apple moths and the best ways to control them in your yard
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow turnips – sow and grow the crop throughout the year for an abundance of tasty roots
All you need to know to grow and harvest different types of turnips
By Drew Swainston Published
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Early fall is a fantastic time to mulch for winter protection, here are 7 plants to mulch in September
Mulching will help all plants overwinter safely, but especially any that are tender or newly planted
By Drew Swainston Published
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When to harvest cabbages – what you need to know for picking different types throughout the year
Harvesting cabbage plants 12 months a year is possible - discover how to identify when seasonal varieties are ready
By Drew Swainston Published
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When to harvest grapes – experts reveal the signs to look for to pick at the perfect time
Warning, the harvesting window for grapes can change from year to year
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to get rid of spurge on lawns – expert tips to deal with this invasive weed
Combat spurge when it’s young to avoid the lawn weed rapidly spreading and becoming a bigger issue
By Drew Swainston Published
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7 plants to propagate in September – it's an ideal month for taking lots of cuttings
Expand your collection of shrubs, perennials, and tender plants for free by taking cuttings this month
By Drew Swainston Published
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When to harvest delicata squash – tips to pick, cure, and store fruits from an experienced grower
These are the signs you need to know that show a delicata squash is fully ripe
By Drew Swainston Published
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5 common zucchini pests – and expert-recommended ways to protect your plants
Don’t let zucchini pests ruin your crops – learn to spot their presence and combat them quickly and effectively
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow bok choy – a simple cool-weather vegetable ideal for multiple harvests
Bok choy, or pak choi, can regrow after cropping, so prepare for lots of pickings
By Drew Swainston Published
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When to prune Endless Summer hydrangeas for better blooms – and the crucial times to avoid snipping
Get the best and longest display from an Endless Summer hydrangea with correct pruning
By Drew Swainston Published
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7 plants to prune in September – what to trim and tips for how much to remove
Pruning this month will keep plant neat and encourage a great display next year
By Drew Swainston Published
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7 vegetables to plant in September to fill gaps and provide harvests through the colder months ahead
September is an ideal time to sow many vegetable seeds directly into the soil
By Drew Swainston Published
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7 flowers to plant in September and tips for where and how to sow them successfully
Sowing flower seeds in September is simple and will mean sturdy plants with earlier blooms next year
By Drew Swainston Published
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‘Fig trees are the undisputed superheroes of the arid landscape’ – discover the best drought-tolerant fruit trees
6 of the best drought-tolerant fruit trees that can thrive with minimal water
By Drew Swainston Published
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It's not too late to cut these perennials back for a flush of fall flowers – 6 popular plants to trim this month
Gardeners in warmer climates can get late blooms to enjoy by carefully cutting back these perennials now
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to order bulbs for spring – 6 factors to ensure you buy like a professional
Browsing the spring bulb catalogues is always enjoyable, so consider these expert ordering tips while flipping the pages
By Drew Swainston Published
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Fertilizing zucchini is crucial for healthy plants and higher yields – discover when and how to feed them
Tips for a great feeding regime and how to pick a perfect fertilizer for zucchini
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow lima beans – from sowing to harvesting
Growing lima bean plants can be quick and rewarding, especially if you live in warmer climates where plants will thrive in the sun and heat
By Drew Swainston Published
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When to harvest tomatillos – the vital signs for magnificently ripe, flavorful fruits
Perfect your tomatillo harvesting game by knowing how to spot the difference between a ripe and unripe tomatillo
By Drew Swainston Published
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7 salad crops to sow in August to liven up fall and winter salads
Discover fast-growing crops to add flavor and texture to salads you can sow this month
By Drew Swainston Published