by Patrick | Apr 6, 2026 | Uncategorized
Not all evidence applies universally (think U.S.A. chickadee studies). The reality isn’t just plant choice—it’s scale. In many U.S. suburbs, larger, connected lots mean planting decisions can add up across a neighbourhood. In dense urban settings like Toronto, gardens...
by Patrick | Apr 4, 2026 | Uncategorized
Are gardens in the British Isles and North America really that different? Or are we just interpreting similar spaces in different ways? Long-term observation in UK gardens shows something quite grounded—gardens support a wide range of life, much of it generalist,...
by Patrick | Mar 19, 2026 | Uncategorized
Recently we listened to a podcast interview (1) in which Doug Tallamy described the ecology of the British Isles as something like “wallpapering” — landscapes that look pleasant but support relatively little insect life. It’s a familiar metaphor Tallamy often uses...
by Patrick | Feb 26, 2026 | Uncategorized
Where gardens can have the greatest impact on biodiversity and ecological services Gardens can contribute to biodiversity and ecological services — but their impact depends far less on plant choice alone than on context, scale, and connectivity. Understanding where...
by Patrick | Feb 15, 2026 | Uncategorized
Who Actually Lives in Toronto Gardens? A concise, context-based snapshot for dense urban settings by Dorothy & Patrick Smyth Urban ecology research shows that insect communities in Toronto vary strongly by location, scale, and connectivity. Gardens matter — but...
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