https://bombus.ca/blog daily 0.75 2021-03-20 https://bombus.ca/blog/kingston-strategic-plan monthly 0.5 2021-03-23 https://bombus.ca/blog/blog-2 monthly 0.5 2021-03-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1615918359810-ZO7VY3W1P9TNNAAS0FC4/carolina-chickadee_douglas-tallamy-1.jpg Blog - Why Native Plants? Part 1 - Native Plants as Food A single pair of breeding chickadees must find 6,000 to 9,000 caterpillars to rear one clutch of young. Image and stat courtesy of Doug Tallamy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1615921079498-YKBRGOOF66VIQAOD34HL/Monarch+chrysalis.jpeg Blog - Why Native Plants? Part 1 - Native Plants as Food The second stage of the Monarch is its chrysalis stage. The caterpillar spins a cocoon on the bottom side of the milkweed leaf to begin its metamorphosis to butterfly. Image courtesy of Steven Russell Smith. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1615920796884-JNIDLBH841JTXBY6R56A/Monarch+egg+on+milkweed.jpeg Blog - Why Native Plants? Part 1 - Native Plants as Food A Monarch egg laid on the back of a milkweed plant in early summer. Photo courtesy: MSU https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1615918672903-TH0MTQY57IP3IJBWMTP6/joyful-sQ26YSt6DiM-unsplash.jpg Blog - Why Native Plants? Part 1 - Native Plants as Food Upon hatching from its egg, the Monarch caterpillar seeks sustenance from the milkweed leaf. In this photo, the caterpillar is seen chewing the midrib of the leaf. Note the milky substance - this is the milkweed’s defence mechanism from prey. The Monarch circumvents this mechanism by severing the flow of the sticky substance, and allows it to eat the tip of the leaf without concern for harm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1615921341086-RJU5YNA3V9PEDNRLS3FA/Dog+Strangling+vine+%28CVC%29.jpeg Blog - Why Native Plants? Part 1 - Native Plants as Food Monarchs often confuse the invasive dog strangling vine (Cynanchum rossicum) for the milkweed plant, and will lay eggs on it. Unfortunately, the leaves of the DSV are inedible to Monarch caterpillars, and they will die without being able to complete their lifecycle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1615922236929-2H3L9ULS5RST0HR9Y2F6/pexels-adrianna-calvo-2342794.jpg Blog - Why Native Plants? Part 1 - Native Plants as Food Upon emergence as a butterfly, the Monarch relies on nectar from the flowering milkweed plant (Asclepias tuberosa shown here) for sustenance. The distinct orange colouring of the butterfly is attributed to the toxins ingested from the milkweed plant as a caterpillar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1615922090946-B1RUVBAWC1ZAG0TQ4BP3/Monarch+on+Zinnia.jpeg Blog - Why Native Plants? Part 1 - Native Plants as Food Monarch butterfly on a non-native Zinnia flower. Although the Zinnia alone is unable to support the completion of a Monarch’s lifecycle, it does provide sustenance in the form of nectar, which is necessary for the butterfly to complete their fall migration from Canada to Mexico. https://bombus.ca/blog/whybombus monthly 0.5 2021-03-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1615917467777-Q9UW4B2I7M0AFMAHCD90/pexels-matthias-zomer-66625.jpg Blog - What’s in a Name? Bombus Ecoscapes A rusty patched bumblebee (Bombus affinis) - our company’s mascot - seen here pollinating a native purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1615917719721-KQNUQDSNY7O8N69FL9YW/Rick+Darke.jpeg Blog - What’s in a Name? Bombus Ecoscapes Ecoscaping draws inspiration from wild systems to bring nature home. Photo credit: Rick Darke. https://bombus.ca/home daily 1.0 2022-04-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1623185801092-4HF040902F9H21BUN6AC/bombus_ecoscaping_kingston_ontario_landscape.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1616187035598-3YLMJ96SD76NVE6AZ9D2/whybombus2.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1616166426031-KZ3E9Z61XNDFK71FK3PD/Headshot.jpg Home - Meet B Brendan McKee (OALA, CSLA) - Founder & Registered Landscape Architect Brendan (B) is a self proclaimed biophilic - a lover of all living things. B founded Bombus for several reasons; He wants to see the world full of plants (he ran out of room in his house), Learning new things about nature helps him make sense of the world. To him, these lessons are so exciting that he MUST pass them on, and To quote Aldo Leopold (which is done frequently here) - “one of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds”. The more you know about nature, the more you realize that it is hurting. Bombus is the start of his journey in taking action to make meaningful contributions to the betterment of the world outside our window. If you are a lover of living things as well, please drop B a line to say hi! Perhaps we can collaborate on a success story. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1615167305457-LJ277ZXETCH898WBLR54/unsplash-image-dAnyZiV956g.jpg Home - Straight from the B Hive Interested in growing your garden with plants that will help your ecospace thrive? Check out our seedling shop and grow your green family today. https://bombus.ca/about-us daily 0.75 2021-04-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1614605403836-GBWK0JF962HOTQLUZR3T/Screen+Shot+2021-03-01+at+8.29.30+AM.png About Us Brendan McKee, Founder of bombus https://bombus.ca/contact daily 0.75 2022-04-14 https://bombus.ca/consult daily 0.75 2022-04-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1615204977324-RN8S6OEXSJPCWEU1EYG6/Landscape+Garden+Consultation Consult - Initial Consultation This is often considered the first touchpoint with our clients. We’ll take a brief stroll of your property and have a friendly chat to determine if we are the right fit for your project goals and aspirations We’ll follow up with a questionnaire to best understand your vision and desires Following this meet, you can decide your preferred course of action. Do you wish to have us undertake maintenance, to see how quickly we can shape up our property? Do you wish to have a more detailed property inspection, to reveal improvement potentials? Do you wish to see how your space can be redesigned, based on opportunities identified? Are you clear in your vision, and wish for a quick execution of work? Or perhaps you would like a combination of any or all of these services? Following our initial consultation, we’d be happy to come up with a work plan that is bespoke to your budget and needs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1615205478530-CMUVAM6MRKP0N6N9FNO9/unsplash-image-0Pqx4T_4NV0.jpg Consult - Property Inspection The deliverable is a detailed Consultation Report & Action Plan, containing observations to consider and short and long-term recommendations that will move you towards your ultimate vision. *Note - this fee will be waived should you choose to enter into a design contract with us https://bombus.ca/design daily 0.75 2022-04-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1616245456969-XJ393ENR5DYVRVM72S6Q/Landscape+Conceptual+Plan Design - Conceptual Design The design builds on previous work of site inventory and analysis, previously accomplished in the Consultation phase. We produce rendered conceptual design plans to illustrate possible layout arrangements for your space. Including proposed planting palettes, material samples, and precedent imagery to help elaborate on each ‘action item’. This is an iterative process, which is open to revision until a ‘Preferred Concept’ is landed upon. Includes costing and phasing plans to help understand the magnitude of costs and prioritize projects based on resource availabilities https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1616245349566-CXMKAGJARY6Q9L7TLRFF/Landscape+Architecture+Construction+Drawings Design - Final Design Construction-ready drawings stamped by a registered Landscape Architect. Final Designs are required for larger projects that involve major alterations to gardens, pathways, etc. Fee can be incorporated into construction fee, if we proceed with ‘Installation’. https://bombus.ca/install daily 0.75 2022-04-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1616513299178-89D15TVF3LWHJAWJMRTI/IMG_E6018.png Install - Full Builds Manifesting design into physical form Our primary focus is softscaping. We utilize subcontractors to execute hardscaping, electrical, or other tasks that may be required to meet the Clients needs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1616246336493-RO0FP6EYKC8COM63ZCSQ/Tree+Planting+Canopy Install - Tree Planting Enhancing the urban canopy starts in your yard Our initial consultation session will help determine where is the optimal place to plant a tree, and what type and size it will be. Following this discussion, we will procure and install the specimen(s). Including coordination to locate underground utilities prior to breaking ground. Each tree will come with a pamphlet, identifying the species, its characteristics, and some basic maintenance requirements to get it established. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1616246245761-ENJSRV4I472JF48WE1K2/Monarch+Butterfly+Echinacea+Native+Plant+Pollinator+Garden Install - Pollinator Packages Bring life to your gardens Can be used to either create a new garden space, or augment an existing one. Gardens can be curated to appeal to a specific set of wildlife, such as bee, butterfly or songbirds. Initial Consultation phase is required to understand where you would like the planting to occur, and how you want it to feel. Prior to installation we will provide for your approval a quote listing; proposed type and quantity of plants, site preparation requirements and installation fee. With your approval, we will proceed with the install! Post-installation deliverable will include; Planting Plan: to help you identify what’s new in your garden Bloom Schedule: a chart to track seasonal interest Wildlife Associations: what will your new plants attract? Maintenance guide: tips to help your garden thrive https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1616246021099-7Y01A41Z1C29S84174FX/Landscape+Accessory+Compost+System Install - Customized Accessories Common elements that improve all landscapes These ‘accessories’ are fairly standard in their function, but can be tailor made to suit your particular space. Customizable products can include, but are not limited to; Raised planters Composting systems Potting Benches Cold Frames Bee houses (Air Bee N Bees) Bird Houses (species specific) Have you seen something on Pinterest that you want to make yours? Get in touch with us to see how we can make it happen! https://bombus.ca/manage daily 0.75 2022-04-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1616172791004-8700GROFNY8R8GXF06JH/Mosquito.jpg Manage - Organic Pest Management Mosquitoes suck. We utilize organic products to neutralize mosquito larvae before the hatch and mature into their biting adult forms. Additionally, the gardens we plant support beneficial insects, which are nature’s tools of controlling pests, like aphids. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1616171656358-P8VF1OML7LYZ5F6ZQCTA/Lawn.jpg Manage - Organic Lawn Care Using best practices to organically care for your turf areas. Including cutting, organic fertilizing, dethatching, overseeding, and seasonal aeration. Could also include the downsizing of lawn space, or conversion to low maintenance lawn alternatives. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1616172966076-ZKCK6QJQVTIKRIHB1AFW/Garden.jpg Manage - Gardens Includes weeding, dividing and transplanting of plant material, and edging of garden beds. Mulching to reduce weeds can also be included. However, our strategy to suppress weed growth is through the use of green mulch - plants! Augmenting garden beds with plants that serve this purpose is a service that we offer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1616171350486-CU2MGB3LB9OLQGVG2X6C/Pruning.jpg Manage - Pruning of Juvenile Trees & Shrubs To provide shape to overgrown vegetation, improve sight-lines, remove hazardous deadwood, allow for air flow and sunlight penetration. The removal and disposal of all cut material is included in any quote. Or, cuttings can be repurposed into site features, such as garden edging, habitat structures, benches, etc. Larger cuts and removals will need to be accomplished by an ISA certified arborist subcontractor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1616171482433-JOG6XJU9N4B0MB4QNFI5/Invasive+garlic+mustard.jpg Manage - Invasive Species Management Photo credit: Friends of Raymore Park https://bombus.ca/benefits-of-ecoscaping daily 0.75 2021-03-24 https://bombus.ca/shop-coming-soon daily 0.75 2021-03-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1615167117468-0ATPMNKE22Z2DEN23UNQ/unsplash-image-2xhOYKK-jAM.jpg Shop Coming Soon - bombus SHOP coming soon. https://bombus.ca/coming-soon daily 0.75 2021-03-19 https://bombus.ca/shop daily 0.75 2021-02-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847809223-3CH44NO1Z15P57C565GD/image-asset.jpeg Shop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847809773-4AVENDOYLYROKJPJY15R/image-asset.jpeg Shop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847809486-VU4HSDGA1YGVW2UCUG6S/image-asset.jpeg Shop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce5539d16a7702df03ca7b/1614442807043-QI7ADENTKBZN43KQ2HKT/image-asset.jpeg Shop https://bombus.ca/shop/wetland-edge monthly 0.5 2021-02-27 https://bombus.ca/shop/woodland-edge monthly 0.5 2021-02-27 https://bombus.ca/shop/forest monthly 0.5 2021-02-27 https://bombus.ca/shop/prairie monthly 0.5 2021-02-27 https://bombus.ca/shop/p/spring-bowl-z3f9h monthly 0.5 2021-02-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1600709250624-C68T9SQ6K7NYICK8P3FP/product-detail-4x5_3.jpg Shop - Spring Bowl https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847052564-1TMWPJP4X5JXE1M0CNLO/spring-blade-thumbnail-01-2500x1666.jpg Shop - Spring Bowl https://bombus.ca/shop/p/milk-dip-cup-fc3xj monthly 0.5 2021-02-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1600709119857-4XUS64LJJ5NSIA4T45VZ/product-detail-4x5_2.jpg Shop - Milk Dip Cup https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847053052-BIBF28M6OATQ2N4J5Y3O/download.jpeg Shop - Milk Dip Cup https://bombus.ca/shop/p/country-feast-set-ckm6d monthly 0.5 2021-02-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1600708893896-325AKTDK2UTS2Y4VSD0K/product-detail-4x5_1.jpg Shop - Country Feast Set https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847053445-TCOA9E8ZBHMLYPM8VJHM/download+%281%29.jpeg Shop - Country Feast Set https://bombus.ca/shop/p/earth-sky-planter-fp64l monthly 0.5 2020-09-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1600709713213-0A9EOEM7KVP0PARGMKOB/product-detail-4x5_5.jpg Shop - Earth & Sky Planter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847050613-XRHRJZP8TVBL6N57P6I2/download.jpeg Shop - Earth & Sky Planter https://bombus.ca/shop/p/harvest-moon-cup-esp3z monthly 0.5 2020-09-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1600709886471-5B65M5UAWKBAJV2H63K2/product-detail-4x5_6.jpg Shop - Harvest Moon Cup https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847051566-7J1F5JK17HV9L5ET6J8C/download+%281%29+copy.jpeg Shop - Harvest Moon Cup https://bombus.ca/shop/p/golden-mist-cup-lemyd monthly 0.5 2021-02-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1600709566842-V0D57N61ZW83B4J87Y15/product-detail-4x5_4.jpg Shop - Golden Mist Cup https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847052193-0459NVK9KEHCDH8J351A/download+copy.jpeg Shop - Golden Mist Cup