Discutafel podcast on eco-friendly gardening & permaculture

161: Kew Gardens: the Hive, good vibrations

Listen to part IV of Ivonne’s visit to Kew Gardens in London. Fifth and last stop on your tour is the enchanting Hive.
The Hive is a unique installation and experience about bees communications. It represents the different levels of vibrations recorded from within Kew’s beehives. 
Ivonne shares some knowledge about honeybees. She invites you to sit back, relax and enjoy the special sounds of the Hive … 

As always, you'll find more information and links in the shownote. 

 

December 2023 = Kew Gardens month! 
We release a four-part podcast series on the famous Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in December 2023. Learn about the highlights, listen to some very special sounds. 
To accompany the podcasts, we publish blogs about Kew Gardens, their history and importance for now and for our future. 
Visit content about Kew Gardens on Discutafel.nl. 

152: VanDusen Botanical Garden

This time, Ivonne explores VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver! Join her when she strolls around the rododendron walk, Canadian heritage garden, vegetable garden and more highlights. 

Ivonne learns which rododendron species are native in British Columbia. She enjoys the artwork in the garden. What’s so special about the ecoystem in the Pacific rainshadow forest? And how do First Nations look at the tamarack tree?
VanDusen Botanical Garden is a treat for the eye, mind and soul! 

As always, you'll find more information and links in the shownote. 

This episode is the last part of a series in 2023 of shows and blogs about Canadian gardens. Have you listened to the other episodes yet? 

151: Utrecht University Botanic Gardens

Come along with Ivonne to the University Utrecht Botanic Gardens. She explores the Discovery Garden, greenhouses, butterfly house and more. 

Listen to the story of the Evolution Garden. This garden was based on the ideas of the 20th century  botanist Cronquist. Research has revealed that in many cases evolutionary relationships between flowering plants are completely different than we thought before. So, the contemporary Green Time Machine will replace the old Evolution Garden in 2024. 

As always, you'll find more info and links in the shownote.

147: Bugs in the garden

Discutalk with Dr Barbara Tigar and Naser Jaberi Khormooji, University of Central Lancashire. They were 'busy with bugs' at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2023 when Ivonne met them. 
Do you want to encourage the presence of tiny creatures in your garden? Perhaps it's wise to know a little about their lifestyle, especially their life cycle. Barbara gives you some nice design tips! 
Naser explains how he came to appreciate bugs when preparing for the 'bug hub' at the show. 
As always, you'll find more information and links in the shownote.

 100% English episode

137: Mad honey and other rododendron issues

Ivonne discovers intriguing facts about rododendrons. These findings have to do with ... poison and a victory in ancient history! 
The episode starts with Ivonne's talk in Milner Gardens and Woodland. This Canadian estate is famous for its collection of rododendron (Latin: Rhododendron). 
As always, you'll find more information in the shownote. 

This podcast is part of a series of shows and blogs about Milner Gardens and Woodland in Canada.
  100% English episode

129: Wild gardening in an old-growth forest

The woodland at Milner Gardens and Woodland is a beautiful example of one of the last remaining old-growth forests in British Columbia, Canada. The former owners preserved many old trees on the estate. Follow Ivonne while she’s strolling through the woodland garden.  

As always, you'll find more information in the shownote. 

This podcast is part of a series of shows and blogs about Milner Gardens and Woodland in Canada.
100% English episode

79: Dutch wetlands: from Wadden Sea to garden pond (4)

 100% English episode! 

Ivonne visits the Westerpark, at a 5 minute walking distance from her house. In search of water wildlife. With a wheelbarrow full of equipment! What’s there to see and hear? Why does she end up in her own garden? Let’s find out!
As always, you'll find more information in the shownote.

76: Dutch wetlands: from Wadden Sea to garden pond (3)

 100% English episode! 

In a short series of Discuspecials we’re talking about water. Listen to part 3. 

• water quality indicators: plants and animals 
• watching water wildlife: organising your own tools 
• how to make a simple spy glass to watch underwater wildlife 

As always, you'll find more information in the shownote.

Also listen to parts 1 & 2!

73: Dutch wetlands: from Wadden Sea to garden pond (2)

 100% English edition! 
March 22 = world water day. In a short series of several podcast episodes we’re talking about water. In this part 2: 

• Dutch wetlands then and now
• lowland
• flood control
• creating new Dutch wetlands 

And ... a special appeal in response to the corona virus crisis. 

As always, you'll find more information in the shownote. 

70: Dutch wetlands: from Wadden Sea to garden pond (1)

100% English episode! 
February 2 = world wetland day! What can we learn from wetlands? For our own life as citizens and gardeners?
Let’s find out and start with part 1 of our short series on this topic. Contents: 

• Dutch wetland types   
• a fascinating water animal with a key role in nature
• tips to help protection and conservation of wetlands 
• and how about your garden? 
• and all this is mixed with personal memories of your host Ivonne 

As always, you'll find more information in the shownote.