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 vegetables to plant in January – to enjoy earlier crops and extended seasons
A protected environment and additional heat and light may be required for success with early sowings
By Drew Swainston Published
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7 trees to prune in January – and how much you may need to trim
Winter is an ideal time to head out and prune deciduous trees in your backyard
By Drew Swainston Published
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7 plants to prune in January – shrubs and fruit bushes to snip this month
Get the yard organized for the new gardening year by tackling some of these plants in January
By Drew Swainston Published
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7 plants to sow in January to get your gardening year off to a great start
There are many popular flowers and vegetables you can sow early indoors this month
By Drew Swainston Published
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Experts warn against walking on frozen grass to avoid damaging the health of your lawn
Why you need to keep off the lawn on frosty winter mornings
By Drew Swainston Published
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Seeds to sow on Boxing Day – 4 crops you can plant during the festive period
Some growers traditionally sow seeds the day after Christmas to reap the rewards of earlier crops and bigger harvests
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow corn salad – and get leafy greens through the lean winter months
You can get fast harvests of leaves, and multiple croppings, with this underrated plant
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow kalettes – discover a new winter vegetable that is stunning as well as tasty
Kalettes are a cross between two classic cold-season vegetables and are really easy to grow
By Drew Swainston Published
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When and how to harvest winter cabbages from the vegetable garden
Discover the tell-tale signs your cabbages are ready - along with expert tips for picking correctly
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow a Japanese maple from seed – patience and precision are key to success
There are simple, but essential steps you need to follow when growing Japanese maples from seeds
By Drew Swainston Published
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What is seed stratification? A seed expert hails the importance of ‘crucial’ cold treatments
Cold stratification helps seeds germinate and can be done inside your refrigerator
By Drew Swainston Published
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Professional tips for overwintering vegetables outdoors – for successful winter crops
Hardy vegetables can provide harvests throughout winter - here is how you can help maintain these crops throughout the cold
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow green onions – sow these simple vegetables every few weeks for maximum cropping
You can plant green onions throughout the year for a long harvest of mild flavorful stems
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow wasabi – what you need to succeed with this demanding plant
Discover the right levels of light, heat, and moisture that wasabi requires to be able to thrive
By Drew Swainston Published
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You can overwinter tomato plants and grow them indoors, but is it worth doing?
It is possible to overwinter tomatoes in two ways - discover why you may want to try this gardening experiment
By Drew Swainston Published
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Pro gardeners reveal why it's always best to wait for frosts before harvesting parsnips
The sweet and earthy roots can sit in the ground all winter to be lifted as required
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to prune bougainvillea – expert trimming tips to control plants and boost blooms
Know the best time to prune these climbing plants - and discover simple recommendations to make sure you trim correctly
By Drew Swainston Published
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Can you grow Brussels sprouts from scraps? Yes, and it can actually be done in two ways
Reuse and repurpose scraps from the kitchen to regrow Brussel sprouts the sustainable way
By Drew Swainston Published
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When, where, and how to plant cranberries to suit their unique preferences
Have happy, healthy, and productive cranberry bushes with these tips from plant experts
By Drew Swainston Published
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What is snow mold? Expert advice to prevent and treat a winter lawn issue that could be hiding out of view
There may be a nasty secret concealed under the snow that is damaging your precious lawn
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow mistletoe at home using berries – and cultivate your own festive decor
Growing mistletoe requires patience, along with the right tree to host the plant
By Drew Swainston Published
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7 vegetables to harvest in December – crops to pick from the garden for Christmas dinner
There is a rich bounty of homegrown produce that can grace any festive dinner table
By Drew Swainston Published
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You can harvest Brussels sprouts in two ways – tips I’ve learnt from my years as a kitchen gardener
It's possible to harvest Brussels sprouts over many months with a little bit of planning and regular picking
By Drew Swainston Published
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When should I put my poinsettia in the dark to rebloom for Christmas?
Giving poinsettias a consistent period of complete darkness will trigger them to bloom again, say houseplant experts
By Drew Swainston Published