AGN in the iTunes Audio Blog Top 20

Thanks to all the AGN subscribers using iTunes, A Gardener's Notebook was listed in the Top 20 Audio Blogs in the iTunes Podcast Directory.

* The list is updated in near-real-time, so we might be higher or lower when you check.

Thanks again to all the listeners. More great content is on the way. I am in the process of scheduling interviews with a bird feeding expert, landscape designers and more.

Subscribe to the feed today, for free, to get all this and more automatically downloaded to your computer.

Thanks again!

From AltBuild: Mike Baron - Walla Walla Sprinkler Co.

This is the six in a series of videos I shot May 4, 2006 at AltBuild Expo, the alternative building materials and design expo.

More videos will be forthcoming in the next few days. Additional, non-gardening-related videos from the show appear in my other blog/podcast, My Word.

In this video, I talk with Mike Baron of the Walla Walla Sprinkler Co..

Watch this video

I'd love to hear what's going on in your garden. Post your comments here or email them to agn@welchwrite.com.

Technorati Tags: garden, gardening, hobby, california, grow, build, make, DIY, howto, how-to, outdoors, losangeles, video, podcast, podcasting

If you find this podcast helpful, please leave a donation for the author.

A New Old Birdbath

After setting up our new bird feeders yesterday I finally got around to using some of the leftover wood from building our pergola to create a stand for an existing bird bath that had fallen into disuse.

I attached some 2x5 feet to the end of the 6x6 beam to stabile it and then simply set the existing birdbath on top. I would like to find some way to attach the dish to the top of the beam, but it needs to be easily removed for cleaning, so I wouldn't really want to use construction adhesive or something else that is considered permanent.

I am a big fan of re-using materials in the garden and this was so easy to do. It took me about 15 minutes total from beginning to end to attach the feet, so it was quite a reward for such a small investment of time.

What do you have lying about your garage or garden that can be put to better use? You might just surprise yourself with your creativity!

Technorati Tags: garden, gardening, hobby, california, build, make, DIY, outdoors, losangeles, free, cheap, birds, birding, birdwatching

Video: Replacing the bird feeder

My son, Joseph, and I took some time today to install a new bird feeder in the back yard. My old, wooden platform feeder, now 10-years-old has seen better days. I built this feeder out of scraps left by t he previous owners of our house. The wooden closet rod I used as a pole has rotted off at least once, leaving the feeder a bit short and my plastic squirrel baffles had finally given into to the effects of sun and rain.

Our new feeder is an Advanced Pole System (APS), that we purchased at Wild Birds Unlimited, where my friend, Keri, now works. You may remember Keri from our Bird Walk video back in February. This system allows you customize your feeder in a myriad of ways including a variety of arms, squirrel baffles and feeders.

Watch the Video

• New AGN Flickr Group
  
• Vote for and review AGN on Podcast Alley
  
• Review AGN in the iTunes Podcast Directory
  
• AGN Frappr Map - Add yourself today!
  
• AGN Photo Set on Flickr.com

I'd love to hear what's going on in your garden. Post your comments here or email them to agn@welchwrite.com.

If you find this podcast helpful, please leave a donation for the author.

Technorati Tags: garden, gardening, hobby, california, podcast, podcasting, outdoors, children, animals, urban, wildlife, video, birds, birding, birdwatching

What I'm Reading...

The New Gardener by Pippa Greenwood

The One-Hour Garden by Joanna Smith

(Unavailable on Amazon.com. Check your local library)

...and on a non-gardening note, but still interesting...

The Search for Nefertiti by Dr. Joann Fletcher

Moscow 1812 by Adam Zamoyski

Technorati Tags: garden, gardening, grow, book

A Gardener's Notebook Promo

Hey folks!

Here is an audio promo to share with your friends, families and even enemies, if you like.

Thanks in advance for spreading the word about A Gardener's Notebook!

Listen to the AGN Promo

There really is a Gardener's Notebook!

A quick scan of one page from the journal where I take notes for future AGN podcasts and blog posts.



Technorati Tags: garden, gardening, hobby, california, grow, podcast, podcasting, outdoors, losangeles

Rust on roses, AGN Flickr Group, Caladiums and squirrels and more... - May 24, 2006

Listen to the Podcast

Here are some links to information mentioned in the podcast:

• New AGN Flickr Group
  
• How to control rust on roses from eHow
  
• Rust on Rose Leaves from Rose Magazine
  
• Amaryllis Pictures (and more) on Flickr
  
• Book: 100 Easy-to-Grow Native Plants by Lorraine Johnson
  
• Theodore Payne Foundation - California Native Plants
  
  
• Music: The One by The Woodshedders, aka the Hot Club of West Virginia, courtesy of the PodSafe Music Network
  
  
  • Vote for and review AGN on Podcast Alley
    
  • Review AGN in the iTunes Podcast Directory
    
  • AGN Frappr Map - Add yourself today!
    
  • AGN Photo Set on Flickr.com

I'd love to hear what's going on in your garden. Post your comments here or email them to agn@welchwrite.com.

Technorati Tags: garden, gardening, hobby, california, grow, build, make, DIY, howto, how-to, outdoors, losangeles

If you find this podcast helpful, please leave a donation for the author.

New AGN Group on Flickr

Amaryllis
Originally uploaded by dewelch.

If you are a user of the Flickr photo sharing site, we now have our own little meeting spot. Two days ago I set up the Gardener's Notebook group on Flickr.

This an invite only group, but anyone can view the photos. If you want to add your photos, send me a note at agn at welchwrite.com (replace the word at with the @ sign) and mention you are an AGN reader/listener.

Link: Gardener's Notebook Flickr Group.

Video: Rust on roses

Ever wanted to know what rust looks like when it invades a rose? Well, here is your chance.

I had one rose that suffered a major outbreak of rust, probably due to our damp Spring. It even rained yesterday, which is odd for Southern California.

Watch the "Rust on Roses" Video - 1:49

If you find this podcast helpful, please leave a donation for the author.

Technorati Tags: garden, gardening, california, grow, podcast, podcasting, outdoors, losangeles, video

Elsewhere Online: How to Construct a Raised Planting Bed

Just what I have been looking for...some good information on raised beds. I am thinking that this is the only way to make the back shade garden productive again. It seems as if the tree roots suck up every last drop of water and drive everything else out. So, I have thought of building some raised bed to give any new planting at least a fighting chance.

Lots of good info and links within!

How to Construct a Raised Planting Bed

If your yields are disappointing, your garden space isn’t as productive as you’d like, or if you only have a small space to devote to gardening, building a raised bed may be the answer to all of your problems. Raised beds are extremely easy to build. They are great for vegetables and flowers because they allow you to artificially provide substantially more topsoil, which will help plants to thrive and flourish.

(Via eHow.com: How To Article of the Day.)

Technorati Tags: garden, gardening, hobby, grow, build, make, DIY, howto, how-to, outdoors

From AltBuild: Kim O'Cain from Santa Monica Environmental Programs Division

This is the fifth in a series of videos I shot May 4, 2006 at AltBuild Expo, the alternative building materials and design expo.

More videos will be forthcoming in the next few days. Additional, non-gardening-related videos from the show appear in my other blog/podcast, My Word.

In this video, I talk with Kim O'Cain of the Santa Monica Environmental Programs Division.

From the SMEPD Web Site...

The Environmental Programs Division (EPD) is charged with protecting the environment and safeguarding the public health to create a more sustainable future. The division develops and implements programs to manage natural resources and hazardous materials, promote conservation and efficiency efforts, and administer and enforce many of Santa Monica’s environmental laws.

The EPD is responsible for the development and implementation of the Sustainable City Plan, a plan that sets long-term policy goals to harness the power of local government, business and individuals to address many of the economic, environmental, and societal forces in such a way as to protect our way of life for future generations.

The EPD is responsible for significant policy initiatives that include the city’s Strategic Energy Plan, the Toxics Use Reduction Program and the Integrated Pest Management Program, water efficiency programs, and collaborates with other city departments to integrate sustainability practices with ongoing city operations.

The EPD also manages the Household and Small Business Hazardous Waste Center and the safe recycling and disposal of hazardous wastes generated by city operations.

Watch this video

I'd love to hear what's going on in your garden. Post your comments here or email them to agn@welchwrite.com.

Technorati Tags: garden, gardening, hobby, california, grow, build, make, DIY, howto, how-to, outdoors, losangeles, video, podcast, podcasting

If you find this podcast helpful, please leave a donation for the author.

Feedback: The weeding video

I receive this nice note and picture from Didi a few days ago in response to the Weeding vdeo I posted.

I just laughed and laughed and laughed. Weeding is the gardeners constant challenge, yes? I loved that the only dialog was the scraping of the scuffle hoe. I have one of those contraptions. My friend calls it a hula hoe. What a fantastic tool it is.

Below is a tree peony from my own garden.

Love your podcast all the way from Seattle!
Keep on keeping on,

Didi

Technorati Tags: garden, gardening, hobby, outdoors

Picture: Fortnight Lily (Morea)

Fortnight Lily (Morea)
Originally uploaded by dewelch.

A quick snap from the garden this weekend.

These flowers can be very pretty, but they are very short-lived, only 1 day, I think and they spread seed like mad, popping up everywhere in the garden.

From AltBuild: Cassy Aoyagi from C & K Landscape Design

This is the forth in a series of videos I shot May 4, 2006 at AltBuild Expo, the alternative building materials and design expo.

More videos will be forthcoming in the next few days. Additional, non-gardening-related videos from the show appear in my other blog/podcast, My Word.

In this video, I talk with Cassy Aoyagi of the C & K Landscape Design.

From the C & K Landscape Design Web Site...

"C & K Landscape Design is an award winning, full service landscape company, winner of top prizes in California Landscape Contractor’s Association competitions.

Two of C & K’s landscapes have been selected for the spring 2002 National Garden Conservancy Tour.

C&K was also featured on HGTV’s " Designing for the Sexes" television program.

Kirk & Cassy Aoyagi, C & K’s owners, have Bachelor of Science degrees in their field. C & K is skilled in every step of the landscape process, from budget, concept and design through installation and maintenance.

They are experienced in all garden design styles, including California native and Mediterranean gardens, which are drought tolerant and low maintenance."

Watch this video

I'd love to hear what's going on in your garden. Post your comments here or email them to agn@welchwrite.com.

Technorati Tags: garden, gardening, hobby, california, grow, build, make, DIY, howto, how-to, outdoors, losangeles, video, podcast, podcasting

If you find this podcast helpful, please leave a donation for the author.

AltBuild Expo, The Blue Rose, Irrigation repair and more - May 11, 2006

Listen to the Podcast

Here are some links to information mentioned in the podcast:

• The Blue Rose by Anthony Eglin
  
• Previous mentions of Bewitched Roses on AGN
  
• Bewitched Roses resources from Google.com
  
• Previous mentions of drip irrigation on AGN
  
• AGN Photo Set on Flickr.com
  
  
  • Vote for and review AGN on Podcast Alley
    
  • Review AGN in the iTunes Podcast Directory
    
  • AGN Frappr Map - Add yourself today!
  
  

I'd love to hear what's going on in your garden. Post your comments here or email them to agn@welchwrite.com.

Technorati Tags: garden, gardening, hobby, california, grow, build, make, DIY, howto, how-to, outdoors, losangeles

If you find this podcast helpful, please leave a donation for the author.

At AltBuild: Debbie Taylor of the Theodore Payne Foundation

This is the third in a series of videos I shot May 4, 2006 at AltBuild Expo, the alternative building materials and design expo.

More videos will be forthcoming in the next few days. Additional, non-gardening-related videos from the show appear in my other blog/podcast, My Word.

In this video, I talk with Debbie Taylor of the Theodore Payne Foundation, which was "founded and incorporated in 1960. The Theodore Payne Foundation promotes the understanding and preservation of California native flora."

Their mission is:

• To promote and restore California landscapes, and habitats
  
• To propagate and make available California native plants and wildflowers
  
• To educate and acquire knowledge about California flora and natural history

Watch this video

I'd love to hear what's going on in your garden. Post your comments here or email them to agn@welchwrite.com.

Technorati Tags: garden, gardening, hobby, california, grow, build, make, DIY, howto, how-to, outdoors, losangeles, video, podcast, podcasting

If you find this podcast helpful, please leave a donation for the author.

At AltBuild 2006: Duane Ruth of SynLawn

This is the second in a series of videos I shot May 4, 2006 at AltBuild Expo, the alternative building materials and design expo.

More videos will be forthcoming in the next few days. Additional, non-gardening-related videos from the show appear in my other blog/podcast, My Word.

In this video, I talk with Duane Ruth of SynLawn, an artificial lawn substitute.

Watch this video

I'd love to hear what's going on in your garden. Post your comments here or email them to agn@welchwrite.com.

Technorati Tags: garden, gardening, hobby, california, grow, build, make, DIY, howto, how-to, outdoors, losangeles

If you find this podcast helpful, please leave a donation for the author.

At AltBuild 2006: Kathryn Kellogg Johnson and Gisele Schoniger of Kellogg Garden Products

This is the first of a series of videos I shot May 4, 2006 at AltBuild Expo, the alternative building materials and design expo.

More videos will be forthcoming in the next few days. Additional, non-gardening-related videos from the show appear in my other blog/podcast, My Word.

In this video, I talk with Kathryn Kellogg Johnson, VP of Environmental and Community Relations and Gisele Schoniger, Organic Gardening Educator at Kellogg Garden Products.

Watch this video

I'd love to hear what's going on in your garden. Post your comments here or email them to agn@welchwrite.com.

Technorati Tags: garden, gardening, hobby, california, grow, build, make, DIY, howto, how-to, outdoors, losangeles

If you find this podcast helpful, please leave a donation for the author.

Comments, questions, votes and reviews

100_1354.JPG
Originally uploaded by dewelch.

If you enjoy A Gardener's Notebook, you can help others to find and enjoy it.

Please consider a monthly vote on Podcast Alley, posting a review in the iTunes Podcast Directory, or sharing your questions and comments here on the web site (see the Comments link below) or directly via email to agn@welchwrite.com.

Your votes and reviews help to spread the word about AGN and also help people make a choice of whether AGN is a podcast they will enjoy.

Your comments and questions keep AGN alive and share the beauty of your garden with all the other listeners.

Thanks for spreading the word about AGN. I look forward to many podcasts in the future. -- Douglas

Bewitching Blooms

100_1352.JPG
Originally uploaded by dewelch.

The Bewitched roses that line our driveway are sending out some beautiful blooms. They seem to have recovered from their black spot attack and are also throwing off nice new foliage.

Book: The Blue Rose: An English Garden Mystery

I am in the middle of this book, part of a series of "English Garden Mysteries", but I wanted to tell you about it, even before I reach the end.

A great combination of gardening and mystery, The Blue Rose, tells the story of a couple who, upon purchasing and refurbishing an old parsonage garden, come across a once in a lifetime discovery...a blue rose.

I am in Chapter 9 and things are beginning to heat up as word about the rose leaks out. People and companies across the globe want to have this rose, some more unscrupulous than others.

Perfect reading while you sip lemonade in your favorite garden chair.

Eglin just released the second book in the series, The Lost Gardens

Link: Previous mentions of Gardening Books

Technorati Tags: garden, gardening, hobby, grow, outdoors, books, uk, roses, mystery, english

British Garden Magazines in Dirt

Wow! While I have leafed through various UK Gardening Magazines, I was never effected in quite the way that writer Amy Stewart was when reading BBC Gardens Illustrated. She has an excellent post on her blog, Dirt, about the wonderful things to be found within the magazine. I think I will have to pick up a copy for myself. Just reading her summaries of the articles wets my appetite.

Why British Garden Magazines Are So Vastly Superior to Our Own

At first, I didn't think the answer would be so simple. I thought I'd page through a few UK garden magazines and be left with a vague sense that their photographs were better, plants more unusual, writing more clever, and that they were just--well, hipper and smarter than us in the way that all things European tend to be. But in fact, when I picked up the May issue of the BBC Gardens Illustrated (not necessarily even the best UK garden magazine if you ask the locals, just the one I happened to be able to find at my bookstore), the answer was immediately obvious:

British garden magazines focus on people. American garden magazines focus on plants.


[Continues]

(Via Dirt.)

Link: Previous mentions of Gardening Magazines
Link: Gardening Magazines from Amazon.com

Technorati Tags: garden, gardening, hobby, grow, outdoors, london, uk