In this episode of the NAJGA podcast, Nick Esthus discusses climate change, sustainability and water conservation with Barrie Agar, Head Gardener Emeritus, Royal Roads University, Victoria, British Columbia, and Terri Clay, Horticultural Supervisor of the Japanese Garden at Lotusland, Santa Barbara, California.

In this episode of the NAJGA podcast, Shayna discusses the art, craft and heart of Japanese garden design with Tim Gruner, who shares his extensive knowledge and experiences related to pine trees and pine pruning in Japanese gardens. They explore various aspects of pine shaping, training, pine pruning, the differences between bonsai, niwaki or garden trees, the importance of space in Japanese gardens and placement of pines and how to create a cohesive effect in a Japanese garden.

Tim Gruner emphasizes the significance of achieving the right scale, transparency, and the role of pines in creating space. He also discusses techniques such as candling, cleaning the bark, and needle pruning to enhance the aesthetics of pine trees in the garden.

The conversation delves into the challenge of helping visitors connect with and appreciate Japanese gardens fully, especially when unfamiliar with the style. Tim suggests that turning off distractions and observing in silence can help individuals better appreciate the gardens' beauty.

Finally, they touch on the different shapes of pine trees, with Tim expressing a preference for compositions that involve multiple trunks functioning as part of a harmonious whole, particularly in combination with deciduous material, which offers a dynamic and invigorating experience.

To explore the world of Japanese garden design further go to our website at www.najga.org for all the resources available from the North American Japanese Garden Association.

In this podcast episode, host Shayna Price explores the world of Japanese dry gardens, or karesansui, with guest Heather Grzybek, the garden curator at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Florida. Heather shares her background and journey into Japanese garden design, highlighting the unique aspects of their contemporary take on a dry garden there. They discuss the challenges of maintaining dry gardens in the US, including the impact of weather, tools, and techniques for raking patterns, and the unconventional use of dry gardens for initiatives like Gardens for Peace. Heather emphasizes that the heart of dry gardens lies in simplicity, elegance, restriction, and the ability to provide a sense of peace and quiet in a chaotic world.

To explore more Japanese garden insights, resources, and engage with the community, visit the NAJGA website at www.najga.org and follow us on social media. Membership will provide community and access to a wealth of knowledge in the world of Japanese garden design. Happy Japanese gardening!