A Gardener's Guide: Native Planting for Ontario's Pollinator and Predator Insects

by Bipin Dhinsa

266 pages, Paperback

Published August 23, 2024

Reviews

[Miles Vorkosigan · Rating 1 out of 5]

It has come to my attention that this author has a history of exaggerating or even falsifying his academic credentials. Unfortunately, this misrepresentation is not restricted to the field of botany but extends to other natural sciences as well. His background apparently includes bullying other individuals on facebook and perhaps other social media as well. It also appears that he has antagonized others who had demonstrably superior skills in botany and other science topics. It remains to be verified whether Mr. Dhinsa has any actual qualifications whatsoever in any field of natural science.

Given these many serious concerns, I would have considerable reservations about any publications that this author is associated with.

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book doesn’t seem to know what it wants to be when it grows up. Generating a “rushed to the printers” feel, its oversized font and spread-out photos suggests an introductory book geared towards a young audience, but the sporadic appearance of text more suited to a science journal would be off-putting to any inexperienced reader. The florid, saccharine prose suggests a coffee table book, but the poor production values, thin paper, blurry photos and cheap binding, say it wouldn’t feel comfortable there either. As a workable "guidebook", the lack of citations, index, or anything that would help guide a reader towards learning enough to make sound gardening choices or even tentative ids of flora or fauna, means it’s not going to succeed as a reference book. Overpriced at a fraction of this inflated price, the money would be better spent elsewhere. I would direct anyone interested to buy one of the many offerings of truly excellent books on these subjects; literally any book by Douglas Tallamy or Lorraine Johnson, for example. Indeed, “A Garden for the Rusty-Patched Bumblebee: Creating Habitat for Native Pollinators” written with Sheila Colla, would be foremost on my list. (Sadly as this book was a gift I cannot switch it for another but I wanted to help others make better choices). So, buy a book on this topic, it’s a fascinating subject. But not this book. Not just a waste of money but a very frustrating waste of time.