Drew Swainston
Drew started working as an online 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, including growing vegetables, fruit and herbs for chefs at a 3 AA Rosette 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 Gardeningetc.
Latest articles by Drew Swainston
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Expert tips on how to grow a lemon tree – both indoors and out
Grow Your Own Find out how to grow a lemon tree with our guide to citrus care and enjoy these fantastic aromatic plants in your plot
By Drew Swainston Published
Grow Your Own -
How and when to carry out gooseberry pruning for a bumper fruit crop
Grow Your Own Learn all about pruning gooseberry bushes to help ensure your plant provides a veritable bounty of berries year-after-year
By Drew Swainston Published
Grow Your Own -
When is the best time for forcing rhubarb and how do you do it? Expert tips for early harvests
Grow Your Own Discover how to enjoy an early crop of tender rhubarb stems in spring by forcing rhubarb plants in winter
By Drew Swainston Published
Grow Your Own