The Botanic Gardens and me: Conor Pope traces his family tree through the Gardens’ history

‘I don’t think very many people in the country have such a direct line of descendancy to something so special’ – family historian Tricia Kearns

Gardening: Nurture fruit and veg seedlings now for delicious produce later

Heat, good light levels, sufficient moisture and good quality compost are all important

Coronavirus: Birdsong seems louder and the ravens are more relaxed

Lockdown enabling people to engage with ‘calm and quiet’ natural world

Rainy day gardening: Keep on top of pests and enjoy the crop of vegetables

This damp August has created optimum soil conditions for seeds to germinate

Body and Soul 2019: festival stage times revealed

The programme of 200+ acts extends across 13 stages and venues

Cavorting Buds of May – Frank McNally on a spectacular year for hawthorn blossoms

Irish farmers will adapt to climate change ‘with the right advice’

Gathering in Co Wicklow discusses challenges of reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Harvest water: the garden will thank you

No amount of watering is going to be as good for plants as sweet, clean, cool Irish rain

Seven wonders of Ireland’s historical world

While we’re all familiar with high-profile places like Glendalough and Newgrange, there are 750 less well-known heritage sites around Ireland, all worth a visit. Here’s a taster of just a few of them

Preparations for a polytunnel, from soil to seed trays – and don’t forget the hammock

Your guide to the best groundwork, equipment and plants to get started

Another Life: Probing the pedosphere for masters of the underworld

No organism is more important than the ant to the complex ecology of our soil

The bottom line for topsoil: value its benefits before it’s dug to death

Staying in touch with the soil can help to make us happier and save the planet

It’s showtime in the garden

The ‘bully’ in your garden

Some beautiful and exotic plants can threaten the native biodiversity of the landscape