LifestyleGardeningGardeningMany of us will be rushing to tidy up our gardens as the weather gets warmer — but there are some jobs that are best left until later, according to gardening expert Peter Dowdall14:39, 31 May 2026Updated 08:20, 01 Jun 2026The arrival of June signals that summer is just around the corner, prompting many of us to spruce up our gardens. However, Peter Dowdall, widely known as The Irish Gardener, is urging homeowners to hold off on trimming their hedges this month.‌The horticulturist and broadcaster, who has spent more than 30 years working in gardens, says the reason is simple — many birds are still actively nesting. Speaking to this reporter, he said: "I would never recommend cutting hedges before the end of August. People are often surprised at how late birds continue nesting and raising young. What looks like an ordinary hedge can still be full of active nests during summer, and trimming at the wrong time can destroy them."‌Peter also pointed out that many plants actually fare better in summer when gardeners meddle less.‌He explained: "Gardening is not always about doing more. Very often the best gardeners are the ones who learn when not to act. A slightly looser, more natural garden is often healthier, more resilient and far better for wildlife as well."Peter regularly champions the idea that gardeners should concentrate on enhancing growing conditions rather than simply rushing to keep things neat and tidy.‌He stressed that gardens must become more resilient in the face of a changing climate, with healthy soil being absolutely fundamental to achieving this.Sharing a practical tip, he noted that mulching around plants "helps suppress weeds competing for moisture, slows evaporation from the soil and improves soil structure over time".When it comes to reaching for the secateurs to smarten up your outdoor space, Peter also warned gardeners to leave hydrangeas well alone, even if they're looking a little unruly.‌He explained: "A lot of people panic when hydrangeas begin to look tired or floppy in heat and immediately start cutting bits off. Usually the issue is stress or lack of moisture rather than the plant needing pruning."In a previous interview with this publication, Peter also highlighted a common blunder that "nearly everyone" makes during warmer spells.‌He revealed this was watering plants little and often, which he warned only dampens the surface of the soil and can leave plants growing weaker as time goes on.According to the expert, a single deep soak is "worth far more than five quick splashes" - and he recommended watering plants either first thing in the morning or later in the evening.He cautioned that watering in the middle of the day beneath a blazing sun was "incredibly inefficient", as the moisture evaporates before it ever reaches the roots.Article continues belowYou can read more seasonal gardening advice from Peter Dowdall, The Irish Gardener, hereChoose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Gardening