The best ferns for Irish gardens: Chelsea gold medallist Billy Alexander’s best picks
Alexander, of Kells Bay House & Gardens, is aiming for gold at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show
Gardening
Articles on gardening
What are the best vegetables and fruits to grow in a polytunnel?
Gardening Q&A: A wide variety of salad crops can be grown quickly and exceptionally well in this protected microclimate
Garden chemicals can seem like a magic wand. But this is the lesson I’ve learned
It’s liberating to accept that you’re never going to be master of your own garden, and this isn’t a failing
How do I stop birds uprooting my vegetable seedlings?
Unfortunately, this is often a problem for kitchen gardeners at this time of year
How to stop hungry slugs and snails from wreaking havoc in your garden
May is a risky month for gardeners – take timely precautions now for a flourishing summer garden
Will my potato plants recover after frost damage?
Q&A: You may end up with a smaller harvest if frost damage strikes, but it is not fatal
Why are my rubber plants looking so unhappy?
Q&A: This houseplant has a reputation for being hard to kill
Late-spring flowering plants can’t wait for summer to get started
By blooming and setting seed before their summer counterparts, these species gain a distinct advantage
When is the best time of year to prune my garden hedge?
An established beech hedge needs to be carefully trimmed every year to keep it in good shape
How to water your plants – it’s harder than you think
Do not kill those plants with kindness by over or underwatering
Six Irish homes on the market with great gardens: From freshwater pond swimming to sun-soaked decks
Properties in Cork, Dublin, Wexford and more offer prospective buyers something different with their outdoor spaces
Take a look: Garden designer’s home with outdoor kitchen in Lucan for €775,000
Four-bedroom B3-rated property with luxury low-maintenance back garden
London travel guide: Why spring is the best time to visit a city in full flower
From March to May, visitors are surrounded by fabulous florals of every description in the several well-heeled squares of the English capital
Which varieties of willow and bamboo grow quickly?
Your gardening questions: Be wary of fast-growing bamboos whose roots can cause problems for foundations and drains
How the right water feature can elevate your garden and soothe your soul
Playful, stimulating and fascinating, the best water features connect with our senses
Can my gooseberry bushes recover from an attack of sawfly?
Sawfly larvae can rapidly defoliate gooseberry and currant bushes, and by the time they’re spotted, the damage is often already severe
Gardening: A purifying herb, symbol of immortality, culinary linchpin - what’s not to love about rosemary?
Science shows that consuming or inhaling the scent of this herb may even improve memory and cognition
Yellow is a polarising colour with gardeners. Here are 10 subtler daffodils to try
For the gardener who dislikes the brash yellow of daffodils there are winsome alternatives
‘What’s the best way to grow flowers for my son’s wedding?’
Readers’ questions: You’re correct to wonder how long it will take plants to be productive
‘Our cherry tree has stopped fruiting. What can we do?’
Readers’ questions: The cherries were a wonderful surprise in the first year, but the tree has not been particularly bountiful since
Spring has sprung, so here’s what to prioritise in the garden
Key to keeping on top of the to-do list at this time of year is to prioritise ruthlessly
What can I do about my hard-to-remove tree roots?
Firstly, break up the soil surface with a garden fork and remove as many of the smaller fibrous roots as you can
The fascinating history of the magnolias that are springing up around Ireland
Magnolia flowers are back in bloom, putting on a magnificent display in gardens around the country
Could my neighbour’s black bamboo make my home uninsurable?
His watering of the trees has rendered my shed a soggy mess and I am terrified for my property
Gardening: even the tiniest seed represents a universe of possibilities
At the beginning of spring sowing season, it’s worth remembering there are few greater joys than coaxing growth from the smallest of starts
How can I keep my house plants alive?
Readers’ questions: Modern houses can be surprisingly challenging environments for indoor plants
Should you chit seed potatoes before planting them?
Chitting involves spreading seed potatoes out indoors to spur the ‘eyes’ of the tubers into early growth
It’s time to rejoice in the season of home-grown rhubarb
This is when to begin thinking about your rhubarb crop and how to get the most out of it
‘Does my hedge have box blight?’
Readers’ questions: Box has come under serious attack from a few very destructive non-native pests and diseases in recent years
Get gardening: What you need to do now to get ahead on your summer plants
From sowing tomato seed to pruning roses: some things always benefit from an early start
My hydrangea falls over into a floppy mess when in flower. Can you help?
Readers’ questions: How/when could I cut it back without losing a year’s flowers?
Ten pollinator-friendly, versatile shrubs that will flourish in your garden for years
Are these fashionable choices? Not really, although there are certainly signs of a comeback
‘Which climbing plants are best for an east-facing house wall?’
Any of the daintier-flowered species of clematis enjoy shadier conditions
Gone with the wind? Future-proof your polytunnel or glasshouse against storms
Many beloved garden structures were battered (or removed entirely) by Storm Éowyn. How to stop it happening again?
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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