Rachel Crow
Rachel is senior content editor, and writes and commissions 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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Why is my orchid wilting? 4 possible reasons and solutions
Unsure why your orchid is wilting? Find out the causes and what action to take to revive your plant
By Rachel Crow • Published
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Why is my air plant turning brown? 5 reasons and remedies
Browning leaves on an air plant are a sign that something is wrong, so discover the causes and quickly nurse your plant back to health
By Rachel Crow • Published
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Why is my pothos turning yellow? Here's why and what to do to solve it
There are 7 main reasons for a pothos turning yellow, so learn how to revive and nurse your houseplant back to health
By Rachel Crow • Published
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Why is my orchid stem turning yellow? Here's why
If you're wondering 'why is my orchid turning yellow?' the answer is simpler than you might think
By Rachel Crow • Published
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How to water an air plant – the best methods to use and how often
Find out how to water an air plant to keep these wonders of nature happy and healthy
By Rachel Crow • Published
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Will a Christmas cactus root in water? And the easy steps to success
Experts explain how getting a Christmas cactus to root in water is the easiest propagation technique – and give tips on getting it right
By Rachel Crow • Published
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How often should I water a poinsettia?
If you're wondering how often you should water a poinsettia then this expert advice will allow you to enjoy healthy plants through the holiday season
By Rachel Crow • Published
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Why is my Christmas tree dropping needles already?
This is why your Christmas tree is dropping needles and the fixes you need to slow the problem down
By Rachel Crow • Published
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This old farmhouse was renovated from top to bottom so its original features shine through
Snapping up this 18th-century farmhouse before it went to auction, its owners have carefully given it a complete overhaul
By Rachel Crow • Published
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This 400-year-old rural French house is oozing authentic rustic charm
This 17th stone-built home in Burgundy, France, has been brought back to life with beautiful original features sensitively restored
By Rachel Crow • Published
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How to care for elephant ears – tips for growing colocasia
Follow these tips for how to care for elephant ears if growing them in the backyard or as a house plant
By Rachel Crow • Last updated
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Naturalistic planting design – plants to use and design ideas
Beautiful and great for wildlife, a naturalistic planting design can look wonderful year round and suits many styles and sizes of backyard
By Rachel Crow • Last updated
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How to build a raised garden bed – materials to use and planting ideas
Find out how to build a raised garden bed for maximizing the growing potential in your garden and creating the perfect environment for plants to flourish
By Rachel Crow • Last updated
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How to winterize hydrangeas
Learn how to winterize hydrangeas to protect them from the elements and keep them blooming year after year
By Rachel Crow • Last updated
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When to plant sweet peas – for the best results
Knowing when to plant sweet peas is key to enjoying long-lasting and healthy blooms
By Leigh Clapp • Published
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Topiary – 15 ways to use clipped evergreens in garden design
Discover how to use topiary to add year-round interest as a design feature in many styles of gardens, together with expert advice on clipped evergreens
By Rachel Crow • Published
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4 ways I use nail polish remover to get rid of marks and stains around my home
Rather than endlessly scrubbing at marks on surfaces, using nail polish remover helps remove them quickly and easily
By Rachel Crow • Published
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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
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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
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What to plant in September – the best flowers, shrubs, trees and crops to grow
Find what to plant in September, from hardy annuals and spring bulbs, shrubs and trees, to crops and herbs for winter harvests
By Rachel Crow • Published
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How to prune hydrangeas – top tips for healthy plants and more flowers
Follow this simple guide on how to prune hydrangeas to ensure your plant stays at its best and you will be rewarded with lots of flowers
By Rachel Crow • Last updated
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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
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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
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When to pick a pumpkin off the vine for the ripest fruit
Learn how to tell when to pick a pumpkin off the vine for the freshest and tastiest harvest to add to a range of dishes
By Rachel Crow • Published