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 trees to prune in October – and how much to remove
Discover some of the trees that you can safely prune this month in your garden
By Drew Swainston Published
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7 lawn care tasks for October – essential jobs to do this month
Discover the fall lawn care jobs that can make a huge difference to the look and health of your grass
By Drew Swainston Published
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When to plant anemone bulbs – the right time for spring and summer-flowering types
Understand the right time to plant anemones - and how to look after the corms before planting - for yearly success
By Drew Swainston Published
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When to prune raspberries – know your type to get the timing right
The type of raspberry you are growing dictates when it needs pruning
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow Jerusalem artichokes – tips from an experienced vegetable grower
Everything you need to know about growing these increasingly-popular edible tubers at home
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow muscadine grapes – tips for successful planting, pruning and propagation
The muscadine grape is native to south-eastern US and a fantastic variety to grow in warmer climates
By Drew Swainston Published
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7 plants to prune in October – these flowers and trees could do with your attention
There is a lot to prune around the garden in October – we take a look at some of the most popular plants that may need a trim
By Drew Swainston Published
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When to winterize a sprinkler system – expert tips to save costly problems
Gardeners with sprinkler systems need to make sure they are shut off and drained ahead of the winter freeze, or face a big repair bill
By Drew Swainston Published
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7 crops to harvest in October – top pickings from the vegetable garden
We take a closer look at some of the best fruits and vegetables that are ripe for harvesting this month
By Drew Swainston Published
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7 plants to sow in October – the best flowers and vegetables to start this month
You may be surprised at the amount of seeds that can be sown in October, so we look at some superlative choices
By Drew Swainston Published
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When to cut back Russian sage – how to decide whether to prune in fall or spring
Learn the benefits of both options so you can choose when to cut back this hardy perennial
By Drew Swainston Published
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When to prune fig trees – the right times for healthy trees and abundant harvests
Pruning figs at the wrong time has the potential to lose fruits and weaken the tree
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow cold hardy banana trees for a tropical garden feel even in cooler climates
You don’t have to live in a hot tropical climate to have banana trees growing in your backyard
By Drew Swainston Published
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When to prune eucalyptus – know the best season for the tree and its health
Timing is vital when it comes to cutting back eucalyptus, so make sure to get it right
By Drew Swainston Published
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When to prune viburnum – know when the time is right to trim
There is an ideal time to prune viburnum and it is important to understand the reasons why
By Drew Swainston Published
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10 plants for fall pollinators to brighten up your garden and feed insects
Help to feed hungry pollinators in fall with our selection of late-flowering plants
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow ornamental cabbage to give your garden a boost of color during the colder months
The vivid and unique plants are simple to grow and can provide a spark when the rest of the garden fades
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to harvest horseradish – my top tips learned from growing and picking the crop for chefs
Know the right time the pick horseradish and how to lift the plant without damaging the precious roots
By Drew Swainston Published
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Why it is important to fertilize a vegetable garden in the fall – feeds, mulches, and cover crops to boost the soil
Feeding the soil in fall means plants have immediate access to nutrients when they start growing in spring
By Drew Swainston Published
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When to prune a peach tree – expert tips for a bumper fruit crop
Stone fruit are pruned at a different time of year to other popular fruit trees like apples and pears
By Drew Swainston Published
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When to cut back phlox – how to decide between doing the task in fall or spring
The timing can depend on both the climate and your garden goals
By Drew Swainston Published
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Growing herbs in a greenhouse? These are the 6 most likely to be successful
Growing herbs in a greenhouse in fall can help to extend the harvesting period for many popular plants – discover 6 of the best for fall and winter here
By Drew Swainston Published
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How to grow cactus from cuttings – 4 steps to follow to get more plants for free
Stem cuttings are a great way to propagate cactuses and expand your collection
By Drew Swainston Published
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Perennial bulbs to plant in fall – 10 to pick to give you blooms from winter into summer
Early-to-mid fall is a great time to add a long list of bulbs to your garden that can give you color year-after-year
By Drew Swainston Published