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
Articles on gardening
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
‘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
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
‘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
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
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
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?
‘Is it true we have no legal right to our sea view?’
Neighbours’ overgrown trees will eventually obscure our view of the bay and the peninsula beyond
‘Is it time to say goodbye to my underperforming hybrid tea roses?’
Readers’ question: ‘Should I rip them out and replant with young, healthy roses?’
Beware of the snowdrop: this could be the start of a lifelong addiction
In search of snowdrops? Robert Miller is the gardener with the goods
Will my lost hellebores reappear in my spring garden?
Readers’ questions: Many but not all are evergreen hardy perennials, and many but not all are easy to grow
Fancy growing a little of your food? This is what to get right in February for a rich bounty
Potatoes, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots peas and more - Fionnuala Fallon’s top tips to get the best and flavoursome vegetables growing in your garden
Digital garden planners are like spades — powerless unless masterfully steered by a human
AI garden-planning programs can be useful tools, but they can’t replace human imagination, experience — and the instinct to go rogue
Your January garden doesn’t care about your new year’s resolutions
The glory of this cold month is that it asks very little of us other than to sit, dream and plan
My camellia is looking miserable – what am I doing wrong?
Would it be happier in the ground rather than a pot?
How can I keep trees in containers from getting too big for their boots?
I’m considering growing some evergreen trees and shrubs but I’m worried that they’ll get too large
A surprising number of its trees will never reach old age in Irish gardens. Here’s how to choose your tree wisely
During Storm Darragh last year, close to 140 mature trees were toppled at the historic National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh
My sister was dying of cancer. A Christmas gift helped to process it
Julie had been diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer at 59-years-old. Early on, her oncologist had told us we’d be lucky to have five more Decembers together
Irish Christmas gift guide 2024: Ideas for last-minute shopping
Christmas is just days away. If you are among those still looking for presents, help is at hand with our gift guides
From root to tip: the best gardening books of 2024
In search of some great gardening books to entertain, inspire and inform you over Christmas? Fionnuala Fallon offers her top choices
An A to Z of Christmas gifts for gardeners: Trees, tools, calendars, furniture and more
Searching for the perfect Christmas present for the gardener in your life? Here are our top suggestions
Does a tree fern need extra protection from the elements?
Packing pine needles into the crown will protect against temperatures down to minus 4C, but below that you’ll need to secure several layers of horticultural fleece over the crown and fronds
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