Gardening Talk with Peter Dowdall at Deelish Garden Centre
Horticulturist, garden designer and RTÉ contributor with over 30 years of experience in Irish gardens
I am giving a talk at Deelish Garden Centre in Skibbereen on Friday 25 September 2026 about getting the best out of the plants in your garden.
Gardening talk in West Cork
Getting the best out of the plants in your garden
Join me in person at Deelish Garden Centre for an afternoon of practical, down to earth and ecologically friendly advice, tailored to Irish gardens.
Date
Friday 25 September 2026
Time
1pm
Venue
Deelish Garden Centre, Skibbereen, Co. Cork, P81 P275
Entry
€15
Spaces are limited and booking is essential. Bookings are taken directly by Deelish Garden Centre.
What I will be talking about
Most gardens have good plants in them. What makes the difference is how those plants are put together and how well they are looked after. In this talk I will share what I have learned over 30 years of planting in Irish gardens, so you can go home and look at your own garden with fresh eyes.
Colour combinations
How to put colours together so that a border looks planned rather than accidental, and how to keep it interesting through the seasons.
Texture in planting
Why leaf shape, size and surface often matter more than flowers, and how to use texture to give a planting scheme depth and structure.
Planting for biodiversity
Running through everything, I will show how good planting design and a garden full of life go hand in hand, starting with the soil.
Who the talk is for
This talk is for anyone who wants more from their garden, whether you are starting out, reworking a tired border or simply looking for new ideas. You do not need any gardening knowledge to come along. Bring your questions, as there will be time to talk about your own garden.
Book your place
Pre booking is essential and spaces are limited. To reserve your place for Friday 25 September 2026 at 1pm, contact Deelish Garden Centre directly.
Read more before the talk
If you would like a head start, these pages cover some of the ground I will be talking about.
If your own garden needs more than a talk
A talk can change how you look at a border, but some gardens need a proper plan behind them. If you are starting from scratch, reworking a tired garden or unsure what will actually thrive in your conditions, tell me about your space and I will point you in the right direction.
Tell me about your gardenHave a question about your own garden?
My garden advice library answers the questions Irish gardeners ask me most, from soil and planting times to hedges, lawns and plant problems. Every answer is based on real Irish conditions.