As autumn approaches, there’s plenty to keep us busy in the garden. In this week’s Cork Today Q&A with Patricia Messenger, I tackled listeners’ most common questions — from pruning hydrangeas and roses to setting new lawns, dealing with mushrooms, and caring for much-loved houseplants. If you missed the broadcast, you can listen back below or catch the highlights here. These Q&A sessions are a great reminder that gardening is seasonal, practical, and full of small details that make a big difference

. If you missed the live show, you can listen back here and catch the key questions we covered.

 

What We Covered This Week

·         When to prune lavender and hydrangeas

·         How to tackle leaf damage on hydrangeas

·         Best lawn seed mix for a family garden

·         Solving lawn drainage and patchiness

·         Roses, when and how to prune safely

·         Peace lilies and repotting for more flowers

·         Pruning Clematis montana at the right time

·         Mushrooms in lawns and garden beds  should you worry?

 

Seasonal Jobs in the Garden (Autumn)

At this stage of the year, we begin thinking about “putting the garden to bed” for winter. That doesn’t mean tidying every last leaf away — fallen leaves and twigs add valuable organic matter and are vital for wildlife. Instead, focus on:

Cutting back lavender now by removing spent flowers and trimming lightly into the foliage.

Leaving hydrangeas until spring — the dead flowers protect buds beneath like a duvet against frost.

Cleaning paths and patios before evenings draw in, making them safe and less slippery.

This balance of tidying and leaving nature to its work is at the heart of sustainable gardening.

 

Hydrangeas — Pruning and Pests

Pruning: Leave hydrangeas until spring to cut back, allowing flower heads to protect tender shoots over winter.
Pests: One listener asked about leaves being chewed. Likely culprits are slugs. My tip: surround plants with sheep’s wool pellets, which act as a natural slug barrier. They deter damage without killing the slugs, meaning birds and hedgehogs still have a food source.

 

Lawns — Sowing, Repairing and Drainage

Sowing a new lawn:
September and October are ideal. Prepare by:

Clearing weeds and rough grass.

Digging and raking to create a fine tilth.

Walking over the soil (consolidating) to prevent settling later.

Raking again, then sowing seed.
Choose a Number 2 seed mix, which is durable and suitable for football-loving families. Keep watered daily until established.

Repairing a patchy lawn:
Bare patches often result from waterlogging. Dig 12–18 inches deep, add topsoil mixed with grit for drainage, then reseed. With luck, new growth will appear by spring.

 

Roses — A Simple Approach to Pruning

Forget the fear! While books emphasise cutting angles and nodes, even commercial rose growers use practical mass methods. For home gardeners:

Wait until February.

Cut back hard — to 30–45 cm from the ground.

Remove crossing stems and cut to outward-facing buds to improve airflow.

This reduces fungal problems like blackspot and mildew.

Houseplants — Peace Lily Care

Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) are resilient. A healthy plant in a 5-inch pot will benefit from repotting into a larger container with fresh compost. Feeding with houseplant fertiliser encourages flowers. Even without intervention, a healthy plant will likely bloom again, but repotting gives the best results.

Clematis montana — When to Cut Back

Although tempting to prune now, Clematis montana should only be pruned immediately after flowering in spring. Cutting in autumn sacrifices next year’s buds. Patience ensures a spectacular display of pink blooms over walls or pergolas.

 

Mushrooms Appearing in the Garden

Many gardeners panic when mushrooms appear in lawns or beds. Don’t! They are simply the fruiting bodies of fungi in the soil. In 99% of cases they’re harmless and even beneficial, playing an essential role in soil health. They don’t damage lawns or plants. Just enjoy them as part of the natural cycle.

FAQ

Q: When should I prune hydrangeas?
A: In spring — the dead flower heads protect buds from frost.

Q: How do I start a new lawn?
A: Prepare soil, consolidate, rake to a fine tilth, sow a Number 2 mix, and keep watered daily.

Q: When is the best time to prune roses?
A: Mid-February — cut back hard, remove crossing stems, and open up the plant.

Q: Mushrooms are appearing in my garden — should I worry?
A: No. They’re part of the soil ecosystem and almost always harmless.

Do you want advice tailored to your own garden? Book an Online Garden Consultation with me today and get a personalised plan for your space.

 [Book Your Consultation →Garden Design Services Ireland - Expert Plans by Peter Dowdall – The Irish Gardener Store