Sir, – St Brigid’s Day is the harbinger of spring, and many gardening activities will soon begin. Each year, however, fewer suburban gardens are left intact. I sometimes feel that if we took the time to consider the beneficial aspects of our personal green space, we would be slower to raze our gardens and replace our grass with low-maintenance bricks or stones. Grass is easier on the eye, kinder to the planet, and certainly of critical importance to birds and wildlife.
In addition to resowing our gardens, there is a window of about eight weeks in which to plant trees. Many suitable species are available for the small city garden, and again such planting would provide enormous benefits for our citizens, for biodiversity and for the environment. – Yours, etc,
CAITRIONA LAWLOR,
Mount Merrion,
Co Dublin.