Rachel Crow
Rachel is senior content editor, and writes gardening content for homesandgardens.com, Homes & Gardens magazine, and its sister titles Period Living Magazine and Country Homes & Interiors.
She has written for lifestyle magazines for many years, with a particular focus on gardening, historic houses and arts and crafts. Rachel started out her journalism career in BBC radio, where she enjoyed reporting on and writing programme scripts for all manner of stories, from the sublime to the ridiculous. Feeling constrained to fit everything she wanted to say on a story into a 1.45 minute radio slot, Rachel moved into regional lifestyle magazines, where the topics she wrote about, and people she interviewed, were as varied and eclectic as they were on radio.
Always harboring a passion for homes and gardens, she jumped at the opportunity to work on The English Home and The English Garden magazines for a number of years, before joining the Period Living team. Over nearly 10 years working on the magazine, as features editor and then deputy editor, she enjoyed exploring and uncovering the secrets of historic houses and gardens, had the pleasure to meet many inspiring artists and craftspeople, and was endlessly amazed at the stories of how homeowners transformed their often previously neglected gardens into beautiful, blooming spaces.
Now focusing on gardening content on homesandgardens.com and its sister brands, she finds every day is a journey of discovery, whether it is learning about new plants or gardening techniques, or sharing the advice of passionate horticultural experts and garden designers. She tries to put some of what she writes about into practice in her own modest urban garden, but with new inspirations on a daily basis, it is an eternal work in progress…
Latest articles by Rachel Crow
-
The Society of Garden Designers Awards 2022 – the winning gardens
The best in horticultural innovation and show stopping garden design are announced
By Rachel Crow Published
-
Shortlist announced for the Society of Garden Designers Awards 2022
Entrants reveal their garden designs shortlisted for the 2022 SGD Awards
By Rachel Crow Last updated
-
When to add lime to lawns – why you may need to and how to do it
If you're wondering when to add lime to lawns then follow this expert advice to ensure luscious, green grass
By Rachel Crow Published
-
How to grow pumpkins – a step-by-step guide
From all the different pumpkin varieties you can grow, to getting your compost just so
By Rachel Crow Last updated
-
White garden ideas – 10 elegant designs full of shape and texture
Make a dazzling design statement with these white garden ideas for an elegant yet bold planting scheme
By Rachel Crow Last updated
-
How to design a parterre garden – key points to consider
Parterre gardens, with their decorative arrangement of beds and paths, make an elegant addition to backyards of traditional or modern homes
By Rachel Crow Last updated
-
Best shrubs for privacy – the top 10 varieties to add to your yard
Discover the best shrubs for privacy for a front or back yard that will also add color and interest
By Rachel Crow Last updated
-
Best evergreen shrubs – 10 perennial shrubs for backyard interest
Include some of the best evergreen shrubs in your garden for year round interest and color
By Rachel Crow Last updated
-
Landscaping with evergreens – 9 ways to add structure and interest to your garden year round
Discover how landscaping with evergreens can form the backbone of your garden design with year round planting
By Rachel Crow Published
-
Formal garden design – 8 ideas for gardens of all sizes
Formal garden design is an enduring style that can work in gardens large or small, so include some of these key elements for a stunning outdoor space
By Rachel Crow Published
-
How to lay a patio – a step-by-step guide to building a patio
Learn how to lay a patio. Follow our step-by-step guide for everything you need to know to build your dream patio
By Rachel Crow Last updated
-
Best winter pansies – 8 varieties to add seasonal color to your winter garden
Plant some of these best winter pansies to fill your garden with much needed color and interest
By Rachel Crow Published
-
How to grow spinach – indoors or outdoors for healthy leaves
Find out how to grow spinach in containers or in the garden to have a year round supply of these delicious and healthy leaves
By Rachel Crow Last updated
-
What to plant in August – vegetables, flowers and shrubs to grow this month
Find inspiration for what to plant in August for colorful blooms in fall and winter and crops to harvest through the colder months
By Rachel Crow Published
-
Best trees for privacy – 15 ideas to screen your yard
Discover the best trees for privacy and screening to block out the rest of the world and create a garden sanctuary
By Rachel Crow Published
-
How do I add luxury to my backyard? 7 expert recommendations
Create a luxurious and beautiful backyard for year round enjoyment with these expert ideas
By Rachel Crow Published
-
Yard art ideas – 12 ways to enhance your space with sculpture or artwork
Use these backyard art ideas to add sculpture or artworks to your outdoor space and create stunning focal points
By Rachel Crow Last updated
-
Planning a kitchen garden – from layouts to picking the best crops
Planning a kitchen garden is easy with this expert advice – whether yours is in beds, borders or a dedicated patch – you're guaranteed success
By Leigh Clapp Published
-
How to grow basil – successfully indoors and outside
Find out how to grow basil in a herb garden, in pots or indoors and add the delicious flavor of this popular herb to many dishes
By Rachel Crow Last updated
-
How to prune basil – and the best time to do it
Find out how to prune basil plants the right way for healthy, bushy plants that last longer
By Rachel Crow Last updated
-
How to grow carrots – enjoy a bumper homegrown harvest
Discover how to grow carrots and enjoy this delicious, crunchy and nutritious veg
By Rachel Crow Last updated
-
Why do ants come into the house – and how to stop them
Ever wondered why do ants come into the house? Find the reasons why and how to stop them invading your home
By Rachel Crow Last updated
-
How to grow zucchini – tips for growing courgettes at home
Find out how to grow zucchini at home – just a few plants will provide you with a bountiful harvest
By Rachel Crow Last updated
-
How to clean silver – an expert guide
Find out how to clean silver at home, according to the experts, and restore your tarnished silverware to a beautiful shine
By Rachel Crow Last updated