The recent spell of heavy rain has left gardens soaked, rivers rising, and many Irish homeowners worried about what the coming weeks may bring. And while it is easy to feel powerless when facing extreme weather or global climate issues, I firmly believe that nature still offers us the solutions if we choose to work with her.

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In this week’s gardening Q and A, I spoke with Patricia about flooding, climate change, the mild autumn, and why urban greening could dramatically reduce flood risk in towns and cities across Ireland. I also answered a wide range of listener gardening questions covering houseplants, shrubs, rhubarb, suckers, and living Christmas trees. Here is the full round-up.

Why Ireland Is Seeing More Flooding and Extreme Rainfall

We have all been warned for decades that more frequent and intense rainfall events were on the way. We are certainly experiencing that now.

But one important point often gets overlooked. We cannot stop the rain falling, but we can influence what happens next.

For generations, we have built on floodplains in areas where local people always knew floodwater naturally gathered. When those natural buffers are removed, flooding becomes inevitable.

Yet even as we damage nature, nature continues to offer us solutions.

How Urban Greening Could Reduce Flooding in Irish Cities

Look at any Irish city during a storm. The water falls on the roofs. We rush it into gutters, downpipes, storm drains and straight into rivers. When the river is overwhelmed, it floods.

Cities like London and Berlin have already shown that green roofs and green walls can dramatically ease pressure on drainage systems.

Research shows green roofs can reduce rainfall runoff by up to ninety percent. They can also slow the release of water into the drainage system for up to three days. This means less pressure on rivers during peak storms, more natural absorption, and a far more resilient city.

Imagine if even a fraction of Cork City’s rooftops were green roofs. The impact on the River Lee during heavy rain events would be enormous.

Nature is giving us the answers. We simply need to integrate her into our towns and cities.

A Mild Autumn and Confused Plants

With all the wet weather, we have not had much cold yet. Mild temperatures trick plants into thinking spring has arrived. It is not unusual to see spring bulbs flowering in October, trees budding early, or perennials breaking dormancy too soon.

While it might seem amusing, it creates an ecological mismatch, where pollinators and plants are out of sync. It is another reminder of how sensitive nature is to climate shifts.

Your Gardening Questions Answered

Below is a summary of the listener questions from this week’s show.

Why Are the Bottom Leaves on My Schefflera Falling Off

The good news is that the plant is healthy. The leaf drop is caused by the plant outgrowing its pot and not enough light reaching the lower leaves. Repot it into a container two or three times larger and it will recover quickly.

Can I Store Divided Rhubarb Indoors Through Winter

If you have divided rhubarb and placed it into bins or containers, you can store them either indoors or outdoors. At this stage in November, outdoors is preferable. Plant them properly again in spring.

Should I Bring My Geraniums Inside for Winter

Geraniums are frost tender, so they must be protected from freezing temperatures. Move them into a shed, greenhouse, porch or even under a sheltered carport. Keep them inside until the second half of March or later if the spring is unusually cold.

Can I Permanently Get Rid of Tree Suckers

This depends entirely on the species. Some trees never sucker. Others, such as poplar, sucker aggressively for years, especially after being cut down. There is no permanent fix other than repeatedly cutting the suckers out and preventing them from gaining strength. Over time, this will exhaust the root system. Chemical treatments exist, but I do not recommend them.

Can I Leave My Overgrown Shrubs Until Spring

Yes, you can. However, prune based on flowering time rather than the calendar. Spring flowering shrubs should be allowed to bloom before pruning. Summer flowering shrubs, such as hydrangeas, should be pruned in late summer or autumn after flowering.

Are Living Christmas Trees a Good Idea

Yes, they are an excellent option. These trees are grown in pots rather than being cut down. You can bring them indoors for a short period, keep them well watered, and keep them away from heat sources. Move them back outdoors after Christmas. You can repot them each year and use them for several Christmases, or plant them in the garden.

A Final Thought on Flooding and Nature

We will never stop the rain falling, and storms may become stronger in the years ahead. But nature is still offering us solutions, including trees, soil, green roofs, wetlands and gardens.

Urban greening is not just environmentally beneficial. It is practical, affordable and proven to reduce flood risk. The more we work with nature, the more she will work with us.

If You Would Like More Gardening Advice

For help planning or redesigning your garden, explore my Garden Design Services at Garden Design in Ireland, Professional Garden Designer - Peter Dowdall – The Irish Gardener

For speaking events or urban greening collaborations, visit the Media and Partnerships page. Media & Brand Collaborations- Partner With Peter Dowdall – The Irish Gardener