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
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Sustainable garden ideas – 28 ways to create an eco-friendly garden
Create a sustainable garden with these expert tips on eco-friendly gardening methods that will benefit your garden, wildlife and your budget
By Rachel Crow Last updated
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Collecting seeds – how to collect and store seeds from your garden plants
Collecting seeds from your own garden to sow next season is the most economical way to increase the flowers and plants in your beds and borders
By Rachel Crow Last updated
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Growing tomatoes: an expert guide
Expert guide to growing tomatoes including the best ways to grow tomato plants and varieties to try
By Rachel Crow Last updated
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Feng shui plants – 12 of the best plants for positive energy
Fill your home with feng shui plants for their positive, living and nourishing energy to boost your health, wealth and wellbeing
By Rachel Crow Last updated
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How to grow onions – from seed, sets and other onions
Find out how to grow onions from seed, sets and even other onions, in our complete guide
By Rachel Crow Last updated
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When to plant hostas – for a show of verdant foliage
Discover when to plant hostas to add their lush, leafy greenery to shady pockets of the backyard
By Rachel Crow Last updated
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Foraging for berries – where and how to pick them in the wild
Go foraging for berries growing in the wild and enjoy the varied bounty that can be turned into jellies, jams, syrups and pies
By Rachel Crow Published
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Tomato companion planting – what to grow alongside tomatoes for a great crop
Learn about the benefits of tomato companion planting and use it to your advantage to ensure a bumper homegrown crop
By Rachel Crow Published
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Voting open for the Society of Garden Designers People's Choice Award 2022
Have your say by voting for your favorite entry in the Society of Garden Designers' People’s Choice Awards 2022
By Rachel Crow Published
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Cucumber companion planting – what to grow with cucumbers for a better crop
Learn about cucumber companion planting and you’ll see how growing the right plants alongside your cucumbers can encourage an abundant homegrown harvest
By Rachel Crow Published
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Potato companion plants – the best veg, herbs and flowers to grow with potatoes
Learn about the best potato companion plants that will help you to grow an abundant crop of this versatile vegetable
By Rachel Crow Published
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What to plant in July – the best veg, salads and flowers to plant
Find out what to plant in July as a perfect excuse to be out in the garden enjoying the sunshine while you plant a range of veg, salads and flowers
By Rachel Crow Published
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Wildlife garden ideas – 16 ways to transform your backyard into a nature-friendly plot
No matter how large or small your backyard, by following these simple wildlife garden ideas, it can be a colorful and welcoming haven for birds, insects and animals
By Jennifer Ebert Last updated
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Best clematis to grow – 10 prettiest, easiest choices for your garden
The best clematis to grow include a wide range of flower shapes, sizes and colors of these popular and showy climbers to suit any garden setting
By Rachel Crow Published
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What to plant in June – the veg, salads and flowers to grow this month
Need inspiration for what to plant in June? Find advice on the best vegetables, salad crops and flowers to grow now
By Rachel Crow Published
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How to create a Mediterranean garden – planting, landscaping and design advice
Create a Mediterranean garden incorporating drought-resistant and low maintenance plants, natural stone and water features for an authentic design
By Jennifer Ebert Published
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How to store apples – to keep them perfectly fresh for longer
Find out how to store apples properly so that you can enjoy the crisp and delicious fruits for weeks or months after harvesting
By Rachel Crow Published
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Coastal garden ideas – 10 ways to design gardens by the ocean
A coastal garden design has to cope with exposure to the elements but has a weathered charm and relaxed appeal that you can recreate wherever you live
By Rachel Crow Published
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Coastal plants – 10 best choices for gardens near the ocean
These brightly colored and textural coastal plants are drought and wind tolerant so ideal to cope with the elements in an ocean garden
By Rachel Crow Published
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What to plant in May – the best flowers, herbs and vegetables to grow
Here's what to plant in May for colorful blooms and harvests of tasty veg, salads and herbs
By Rachel Crow Published
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How to plant a wildflower meadow – in gardens of all sizes
Plant a wildflower meadow in your garden to create a beautiful wildlife habitat that will be bursting with color for months on end
By Rachel Crow Published
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When to plant peonies – for a wonderful early summer show
Discover when to plant peonies to add their beautiful, plump blooms to the backyard
By Rachel Crow Published
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When to plant nasturtium seeds – for a show of hot colors
Find out when to plant nasturtium seeds and bedding plants to enjoy their flame hues in summer and fall
By Rachel Crow Published
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How to grow and care for bell peppers – for a bumper crop
Discover how to grow and care for bell peppers to enjoy a colorful homegrown harvest to add to a wide range of dishes and salads
By Rachel Crow Published