Garden Q&A with Peter Dowdall
Ask me anything about gardening
Welcome to the Garden Q&A hub, where I answer the most common gardening questions I’m asked every week. From pruning and planting to pests, soils and seasonal care, you’ll find practical, nature-friendly advice for Irish and UK gardens all gathered here in one place.
Browse through popular questions, explore recent answers, and if you have a question of your own, you can always use the Ask Peter tool anytime.
Popular Things People Ask Me
- When should I prune my hedge in Ireland?
What grows well in shade?
Why isn’t my hydrangea flowering?
What should I plant in clay soil?
How do I plan a new border?
What should I plant now for the season ahead?
How do I make my garden more wildlife-friendly?
How do I redesign my garden?
Previous Answers Which May Help You
Why is my hydrangea not flowering?
Hydrangeas often skip flowering after being pruned too hard or at the wrong time. Leave the old stems in place over winter, avoid pruning before February, and make sure they’re in a semi shaded and sheltered spot.
What can I plant in a north-facing, shady bed?
Shady beds suit woodland plants. Ferns, hellebores, epimediums, foxgloves and pulmonaria all thrive in cool, low-light areas and will give colour and structure right through the seasons.
Why is moss taking over my lawn?
Moss usually means the lawn is compacted, too shady, or the soil may be too acidic. Scarify lightly, spike the soil to improve drainage, and give it a gentle feed. Reducing shade where possible will also help long-term.
What’s the best wildlife-friendly way to control slugs?
Avoid pellets, even organic ones can affect predators. Instead, barrier products such as those using sheeps wool, use beer traps, copper tape, and plant more slug-resistant species like ferns, hardy geraniums and euphorbias. Encouraging frogs and birds is the best long-term solution.
When should I prune lavender?
Prune lavender in late summer, right after flowering. Cut back the flowered stems and shape the plant, but never cut into old, woody growth, it won’t reshoot.
How do I improve heavy, clay soil?
Clay soil improves with added organic matter. Mix in compost, leaf mould or well-rotted manure and horticultural grit every year, and avoid digging when it’s wet.
A few quick gardening videos from me
Here are two short clips with practical tips. You can watch these and then ask your own questions in Ask Peter any time.
Got a question of your own?
You can use Ask Peter anytime for quick, friendly garden advice.
Ask Peter On The Radio
When to Prune Red Robin and Apple Trees – October Gardening Q&A with Peter Dowdall
October is a great time to tidy without stressing plants. In this week’s Gardening Q&A we cover when to prune red robin and apple trees, why kale turns yellow, crabapple...
Ask Peter The Gardener
Ask The Gardener: Roses, Tulips, Garlic & More Autumn Questions
In this Ask The Gardener episode, Peter Dowdall tackles your autumn gardening questions from roses and tulips to garlic, hostas, hydrangeas, and lawn moss. Practical advice for Irish gardens.
Native Irish Wildflowers
How to Sow a Wildflower Meadow (and Why It Matters for Bees )
Sowing wildflowers is one of the simplest and most rewarding things you can do for your garden and for pollinators. Here’s how to prepare, sow, and care for a wildflower...
Ask Peter On TV
How to Take Hydrangea Cuttings: Simple Step-by-Step Guide with Peter Dowdall
Learn how to take hydrangea cuttings step by step. Peter Dowdall shows how to turn stems of Runaway Bride and Annabelle hydrangeas into new plants, using simple tools and a...
Ask Peter About Lawn Care
What Is Lawn Thatch and Why Should You Scarify?
If your lawn is looking patchy or mossy, thatch could be the issue. We’ve put together a quick guide on what thatch is, how to remove it, and how regular...
Ask Peter On RTE
Planting Memories, How Gardens Help Us Mark Life’s Moments
Planting roses, trees, or shrubs to mark life’s milestones keeps memories alive. Discover how commemorative planting makes an Irish garden a living scrapbook of love and connection.
Ask Peter On The Radio
Flooding in Ireland, Urban Greening Solutions, and Your Winter Gardening Questions Answered
Ireland’s recent heavy rainfall has highlighted our growing flood risk, but nature offers real solutions. In this week’s gardening update, Peter Dowdall discusses urban greening, green roofs, a mild autumn,...
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