Elements of a Garden

Latest Episodes:

Heart Apr 13, 2023

Show notes

The fifth element, Ether, Void, or Heart depending on the system of classification, provides the ineffable connection between the material elements. For the final episode of Elements of a Garden, Evan and Alex discuss the importance of culture, community, and personal connection within the native plant community and in broader environmental conversations.

Plant: Heart Leaved Keckiella (Keckiella cordifolia) Presented by Flora Ito

Elements of a Garden, the 2023 Native Plant Garden Tour podcast celebrates the hidden meaning within our gardens — how each element is nested within something larger: a seed, a plant, a garden, an ecosystem. Join UCLA climate scientist and native plant gardener Dr. Alex Hall and TPF Executive Director Evan Meyer for an exploration of a single garden within the deeper context of environmental and cultural forces shaping our changing planet.

For images and more information on Dr. Alex Hall’s garden visit:

Carthay Rewilding & Renewal

Thank you to the following contributors for making this podcast possible:

Host: Evan Meyerand Guest: Dr. Alex Hall

Producer, Sound Design, and Mixing: Gustavo Garcia instagram: @eldratl

Composer: Richard Houghten instagram: @richardhoughten

Executive Producer: Marie Astrid González

Fire Apr 12, 2023

Show notes

Fire is a defining character of California landscapes. In this episode, Evan and Alex talk about how fire adaptations in plants can be utilized by gardeners, and discuss some of the unique and nuanced ecology of fire. They discuss gardening in the Wildland Urban Interface, and how ecological practices can be incorporated into safety considerations for high fire areas.

Plant: Fire Poppy (Papaver californicum)

Wildfire in Southern California Presented by Erin Johnson

For images and more information on Dr. Alex Hall’s garden visit:

Carthay Rewilding & Renewal

Thank you to the following contributors for making this podcast possible:

Host: Evan Meyerand Guest: Dr. Alex Hall

Producer, Sound Design, and Mixing: Gustavo Garcia instagram: @eldratl

Composer: Richard Houghten instagram: @richardhoughten

Executive Producer: Marie Astrid González

Air Apr 07, 2023

Show notes

Air defines many features of a garden. In this episode, Evan and Alex discuss the wonderful smells of California native plants, how wind can impact plant growth, and create unexpected moments of beauty in a garden along with large scale patterns of weather. They also touch on Alex’s expertise as a climate scientist and discuss climate change at the local scale.Plant: Alkali Sacaton (Sporobolus airoides) Presented by Ella AnderssonElements of a Garden, the 2023 Native Plant Garden Tour podcast celebrates the hidden meaning within our gardens — how each element is nested within something larger: a seed, a plant, a garden, an ecosystem. Join UCLA climate scientist and native plant gardener Dr. Alex Hall and TPF Executive Director Evan Meyer for an exploration of a single garden within the deeper context of environmental and cultural forces shaping our changing planet.Links to resources mentioned in this episode:Westwood GreenwayFor images and more information on Dr. Alex Hall’s garden visit:Carthay Rewilding & RenewalThank you to the following contributors for making this podcast possible:Host: Evan Meyerand Guest: Dr. Alex HallProducer, Sound Design, and Mixing: Gustavo Garcia instagram: @eldratlComposer: Richard Houghten instagram: @richardhoughtenExecutive Producer: Marie Astrid González© 2023 Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers & Native Plants

Earth Apr 05, 2023

Show notes

Earth may be the most mysterious element for a gardener. In this episode, Evan and Alex discuss the hidden world underground including the different types of soil that one might encounter in Los Angeles. They also explore the landforms that define Southern California.

Plant: Humboldt's Lily (Lilium humboldtii) Presented by Alejandro Lemus

For images and more information on Dr. Alex Hall’s garden visit:

Carthay Rewilding & Renewal

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

Calscape.org

Local Source Initiative

Garden #20: LaPlante+d'Auria / Native Restoration Garden

Thank you to the following contributors for making this podcast possible:

Host: Evan Meyerand Guest: Dr. Alex Hall

Producer, Sound Design, and Mixing: Gustavo Garcia instagram: @eldratl

Composer: Richard Houghten instagram: @richardhoughten

Executive Producer: Marie Astrid González

Water Mar 30, 2023

Show notes

Water is an essential aspect of gardening in Southern California. In the first episode of Elements of a Garden, Evan and Alex discuss Alex’s approach to watering and water capture in his home garden. They also discuss the legacy of water importation in Los Angeles, as well as global cycles of weather that drive precipitation in Southern California.

Plant: Blue Palo Verde (Parkinsonia florida) Presented by Esther Fernandez

For images and more information on Dr. Alex Hall’s garden visit:

Carthay Rewilding & Renewal

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

Westwood Greenway

Save the Bay

Purple Pipe Company

Thank you to the following contributors for making this podcast possible:

Host: Evan Meyerand Guest: Dr. Alex Hall

Producer, Sound Design, and Mixing: Gustavo Garcia instagram: @eldratl

Composer: Richard Houghten instagram: @richardhoughten

Executive Producer: Marie Astrid González