The Irish Gardener

06/09/2026

I know its not quite a gardening post but I hope you'll excuse me as I give you the opportunity to win 2 of the hottest tickets in town to get to see the fantastic Oprah in Dublin.

Simply tell me in the comments who you would like to bring with you or why you would Love to see Oprah.

Oprah Winfrey is coming to Ireland for her first-ever Irish visit on September 14 at Dublin’s 3Arena. This promises to be a truly historic and unforgettable occasion, giving Irish audiences a rare opportunity to experience Oprah up close and in person.

Find out more at. https://upclosewith.com/

Winner will be chosen at random and announced here on Wednesday! Good luck!

05/09/2026

I know its not quite a gardening post but I hope you'll excuse me as I give you the opportunity to win 2 of the hottest tickets in town to get to see the fantastic Oprah in Dublin.

Simply tell me in the comments who you would like to bring with you or why you would Love to see Oprah.

Oprah Winfrey is coming to Ireland for her first-ever Irish visit on September 14 at Dublin’s 3Arena. This promises to be a truly historic and unforgettable occasion, giving Irish audiences a rare opportunity to experience Oprah up close and in person.

Find out more at. https://upclosewith.com/

Winner will be chosen at random and announced here on Wednesday! Good luck!

05/09/2026

When do you think is the best time for planting???

Traditionally we were told only to plant only during a month with an 'r'in it...Why was that???

There's more than a little something in it too, working with the seasons, read on....
https://theirishgardener.com/pages/when-to-plant-in-ireland
- Peter Dowdall – The Irish Gardener

30/08/2026

Should we be looking further afield at new plants to suit our changing climate or are native plants now, more important than ever.
That was the question i asked in my column in this week's Irish Examiner...

What do you think?

24/08/2026

the drought this summer meant that I never got to enjoy these Hydrangea Bobo at there lush whitest best - but I did enjoy the sunshine!!
However, even if early, they are really showing off their autumn tones now, really beautiful shades, most likely made better by the summer sunshine.
How did your fare this summer?

21/08/2026

This is what urban greening looks like and fair play to Cork City Council and The Pavilion Garden Centre

If you’ve been on Patrick Street recently, you may have noticed this new planting where Winthrop Street meets Patrick Street.

Yes, it looks fantastic. But this is about much more than decoration.

This is green infrastructure.

As this planting develops, it has the potential to promote biodiversity, provide food and habitat for wildlife, create shade, help manage heavy rainfall, improve air quality and make the city centre a more attractive and enjoyable place for people to spend time.

That is the real opportunity with urban greening., one horticultural intervention can potentially deliver many different benefits at the same time.

I’ve been talking about this for years, so i'm thrilled to see an initiative like this appearing in the heart of Cork.

Well done to Cork City Council and everyone involved in delivering it.

Hopefully this is just the beginning.

Imagine what Cork could become if we started thinking about planting not simply as something that makes a city look better, but as infrastructure that helps a city work better.

Watch the video and tell me what you think.

Could Cork become a truly green city?

21/08/2026

Have you seen what's happening on Patrick St in Cork???
https://www.irishexaminer.com/property/homeandgardens/arid-41897851.html

What are your thoughts?

14/08/2026

Valuable advice at the mo, if only we could water our plants!!

EXCLUSIVE: A professional gardener has spoken about a cheap and effective way you can deter slugs and snails from destroying your plants

06/08/2026

This almost looks AI, but it is not.

Snails are one of the biggest frustrations in many gardens, especially when young plants are being eaten, yet they are also part of the natural balance.

They feed birds, beetles, frogs and other wildlife, and they help keep the garden food web going.

That does not mean sacrificing your plants. Barrier products and physical protection can help keep vulnerable plants safe without wiping everything out.

Sometimes the answer is not total war. It is better balance.

What do you think when you see a snail, a garden enemy or part of the system?

05/08/2026

The finely cut foliage of Japanese maples is one of those small details that can completely change the feel of a garden.

There is a lightness and elegance to it that few other plants can match, and then, just when you think it has done enough, it usually turns beautiful shades of gold, orange or red in autumn.

They do best in a sheltered spot, protected from strong winds which can scorch or tear the delicate leaves.

A lovely reminder that gardens are not only about flowers. Texture, shape and foliage matter just as much.

Do you notice foliage as much as flowers in a garden?