Working With and Learning From Nature
Moringa- The Miracle Tree
Plant Report Episode 11: Moringa is called the Miracle Tree and after listening to this episode, you’ll know why! Native to Africa and Asia, Moringa offers a plethora of benefits. Fast and easy to grow in the right climate (tropical and sub-tropical), Moringa is…
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Outdoor Mushroom Cultivation
Episode 9: Growing mushrooms at home is fun, surprisingly easy, and offers multiple benefits including a delicious medicinal crop, increased mycelium in your soil, and myco-remediation opportunities on your land. Michael Judd of Ecologia Design talks about mulch and log cultivation techniques, and walks you through…
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Hala- A Useful and Beautiful Plant
Episode 9: I met with farmer and Hawaiian plant expert John Aquino on the beautiful grounds of the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens located on the island of Maui. In this episode, John talks about the many uses of Hala- Pandanus tectorius. Hala can be woven into…
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Bunya Bunya Tree
Episode 7: The Bunya Bunya (Araucaria bidwillii) is a tall, evergreen coniferous tree with large, edible and high carbohydrate nuts. In this Plant Report, Permaculture designer and horticulturist Byron Joel talks with Jill Cloutier about the Bunya Bunya; its growing habits, history and untapped potential as a…
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Goumi- A Beautiful Bush With Benefits
Episode 6: Goumi is an attractive shrub that is useful in edible landscaping. Renowned for its beauty and delicious medicinal berries, goumi is easy to grow, drought tolerant and fixes nitrogen- making it a valuable soil amender. Goumi’s fragrant cream colored flowers attract pollinators, birds…
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Arracacha- The Peruvian Parsnip
Episode 5: Arracacha, Peruvian Parsnip (Arracacia xanthorrhiza) is a perennial vegetable from the Andes. To learn more about this staple food crop I spoke with Permaculturist and plant expert Byron Joel. Delicious in flavor, Arracacha is a member of the Apiaceae family and is easy…
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Ashitaba- Tomorrow’s Leaf
Episode 4: Ashitaba is a plant rich in antioxidants, vitamins and chlorophyll. Also called Tomorrow’s Leaf, Ashitaba is known for its quick regeneration and healing properties. To learn more about Ashitaba, Jill Cloutier interviewed John Glavis of Botierra Biodiversity Farms at the Heirloom Expo Heirloom Expo in Santa Rosa,…
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Titan Arum-The Largest Unbranched Inflorescence In The World!
Episode 3: Titan Arum may have one of the smelliest flowers on the planet (think old gym socks), but it’s also one of the largest and most beautiful. Known as the carrion or corpse flower, Titan Arum gives off a pungent scent that’s perfect for…
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Comfrey- A Plant With Many Uses
Episode 2: Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a gardener’s friend. A plant with many benefits, comfrey can be used as medicine, mulch, liquid fertilizer, compost and chicken feed. Comfrey has a deep tap root that can mine the soil for nutrients and minerals. Used in…
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Nature’s Medicine Chest- Elder
Episode 1: Known as the Tree of Music and Nature’s Medicine Chest, Elder has a long history of medicinal and musical use. Elderberries and flowers are a popular herbal remedy and elder branches can be used to make musical instruments. Steeped in folklore, Elder…
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