The Garden Shift

Sean James is an ecological landscape expert. With his extensive horticultural knowledge he creates gardens that are public pleasing. Bold features, drifts of plants and seasonal vignettes make up his designs. This episode is jam packed with plant choices that can bring both birds and bees to your garden. Some plants of note are Bladdernut , Black Cherry, Silky Dogwood and Arrowleaf Aster.
Notes
https://www.seanjames-consulting.ca/
Sean James YouTube
https://youtu.be/1K8x-vUkoMI?si=Z53QzXPjhZ25yhVO
https://landscapeontario.com/about/

In this episode you will meet community builder & Toronto Master Gardener Jen Morley. Jen cares about the natural world and does her part right in her neighbourhood in downtown Toronto. She entered the Master Gardener training program in 2023 and has fast become a rising star.  A skilled writer, editor and communicator with a knack for making connections and bringing people together. Listen in as we talk about her ongoing leadership role in the Girl Guides, a successful grant application for PollinateTo funding, and her ongoing studies that are assisting her on The Shift. Enjoy.
Notes & Link
PollinateTO
https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/environmental-grants-incentives/pollinateto-community-grants/
Girl Guides Video
https://youtu.be/yeXP4v891nQ?si=i16UJomAb74N2iij

In today's episode you will hear from Andrea D'Silva the owner of Swallowtail Native Plants an online specialized seed company.
Why is growing plants from local seed important and what seeds are easy to try if you are new to growing native plants from seeds.
Winter is the time to buy seeds and Andrea gives great tips on how to have success with germination. Blue Flag Iris , Wild Basil and Prairie Smoke are a few special species we discuss.
www.swallowtailnativeplants.ca
Andrea's Native Plant Easy to Start List

In this episode we continue on the theme of naturalized gardens and out dated by-laws that penalize gardeners who want to do their part for nature. The City of Burlington is taking ecologist Karen Barnes to court over her naturalized garden, that was deliberately planted, maintained, free of noxious weeds and not obstructing any sidewalk or sightline. It's been a battle that has seen her front and back garden mowed down by the City.
Listen in to Karen joined by her daughter Julia as they detail the case based on constitutional grounds and their aim to set a strong precedent in support of Canadians’ rights to freedom of expression through gardening.
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2025/08/29/news/ontario-naturalized-garden-charter-challenge
Donate
https://smallchangefund.ca/campaign/protecting-naturalized-gardens/

Douglas Counter goes to court in Counter v City of Toronto (2002) to express his pro-environmental views of how to manage a garden on privately maintained public property. Listen to a passionate gardener who fought and won this case for all Canadian gardeners. Recorded in Nov.2025
Contact Douglas: [email protected]
Spacing Toronto |  https://spacing.ca/toronto/2024/08/21/from-drainage-ditch-to-vibrant-pollution-absorbing-habitat/
Fireflies- -Ontario Nature
 https://ontarionature.org/fireflies-of-ontario-blog/