Garden Plotting: Councilman Bill Rosendahl Rocks the Mic

Anyone who's spent anytime with Westside City Councilman Bill Rosendahl knows that once he gets the mic...he's going to be rocking it awhile. When I asked his staffer, Tony Arranaga, to put together "just a list of his 2011 garden plans" I shouldn't be surprised that Bill added his own commentary... and pictures... and philosophy... and CHICKENS!

So yes, he's grabbed the mic on me again, this time on the "internets" and has up and just about written my whole column. Mad? Hell no. I'm in such a dirt and martinis mood after my little #socmedia campaign last week that I'm over thinking. Bill knows his garden better than anyone. It's his own zen garden without the zen garden. So I will sit back again and enjoy a little kickback time. And for this advocate of all things green and growing in a city that "hearts its asphalt and strip malls" it makes me feel a little better knowing we a have a gardener with a gardener's wisdom sitting in one of the 15 chairs downtown at LA City Council.

My 2011 Garden Plant List
By Bill Rosendahl, Councilmember for the 11th District

These days, helping the homeless or improving traffic gridlock are two key policy issues keeping us busy in the 11th Council District. The political process is hectic and I'm always on the go, which works in my favor because I hate standing still.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my downtime. During the evenings or on the weekends, I usually sneak away to the sanctuary of my backyard. My Mar Vista home sits on a hilltop from which I can see the seemingly boundless Pacific to the west and snow capped mountains to the east.

Thriving birds of paradise and bamboo trees line sections of my tiered yard while the center contains a few fruit bearing vines, plants, and trees. I love the sounds here - from the leaves acting as nature's wind chimes to the chickens talking amongst themselves (Yes, I have a few of those too).

All these plants and animals provide me with wonderful gifts that help balance my life. There's this amazing sense of connection when you feed or water something and then get something in return. The fresh eggs are delicious and the oranges are juicy and sweet. My overall connection with Mother Nature is nourishing and nurturing. I'm extremely grateful to have a beautiful piece of land. I go to work every morning invigorated and ready to take on another challenge.

This is my home in the 11th District, and this is my garden plant list:

1) Orange Tree
2) Apple Tree
3) White Peach
4) Plum Tree
5) Bird of Paradise
6) Bamboo
7) Grape vine
8) Mystery flower (do you know what this is?)
9) Giant Cactus Tree
10) Chickens
----------

I think there's a follow up here in this for an exclusive Q & A with Bill's chickens. Send me your Q's. Best question gets a CD11 egg!