Roger Swain

Roger Swain, “the man with the red suspenders”, is recognized by millions as host of The Victory Garden, television’s longest-running gardening show. For fifteen years Roger planted and pruned, harvested and chatted with PBS viewers across the country.  More recently, he co-hosted People, Places and Plants on HGTV, a show which celebrates New England gardens and gardeners, and features Roger’s commentary, “Food for Thought.” A five disc DVD set of People, Places and Plants is now available: 46 episodes of non-stop gardening!

Biologist, gardener, writer and storyteller, Roger Swain was born and raised outside Boston Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard College, and went on to earn a Ph.D. , studying the behavior in ants in tropical rain forests, before becoming Science Editor of Horticulture magazine. Since 1978 readers have been enjoying Roger’s essays and articles in that magazine, as well as his five books: Earthly Pleasures, Field Days, The Practical Gardener, Saving Graces, and Groundwork. When he is not editing Horticulture, filming the TV series or meeting with gardeners across the country, Roger can be found at work in the orchard and gardens of his New Hampshire farm.

Roger Swain received the American Horticultural Society Award for Writing in 1992, and in 1996 he was awarded the Massachusetts Horticultural Society Gold Medal for his “power to inspire others.”

Lecture Information and Publicity Contacts

Roger Swain is available to speak on a wide variety of subjects, either in a lecture presentation or a more casual question-and-answer format. His personal favorites include: the principles of ecologically sound gardening, backyard fruits and vegetables, the celebration of hand tools, and how gardening makes good neighbors.

Arrangements can be made by contacting:
Roger B. Swain, (617) 332-0555, rbswain(at)comcast.net
20 Columbus Street, Newton Highlands, MA 02461

Color and black-and-white photographs of Mr. Swain are available in electronic form; requests should be directed to Elisabeth Swain, at the address above or rbswain(at)comcast.net.