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Paul Wheaton and Jocelyn Campbell first share about Paul’s new mullein video, and then one he made on native plants with Toby Hemenway. They then review chapter 6 of Toby’s book, Gaia’s Garden, which is titled “Plants for Many Uses.” They start with the roles of a tree, such as in keeping creeks flowing and reducing greenhouse gases. Paul brings up the film, The Man Who Planted Trees, about a man who planted 100 tree seeds a day, and the creeks came back. Paul shares how trees collect and prepare their own fertilizer solutions, and nettles enjoy and contribute to nitrogen at the base. The book also says that soil close to the trunk of a tree can have 2-10 times the rain as open ground does. Paul has to share a quote about nitrogen fixers– how live ones are at least as growth-boosting as dead ones. This, of course, is directed at his friend, Helen Atthowe. Paul shares that the book has an excellent diagram on suntrap design. He then reads a quote on harvesting annuals being like small scale clearcutting in comparison to harvesting from perennials. Paul and Jocelyn discuss the nutrition in the weeds often being higher than in conventional lettuces, which have had their tangy and slightly bitter tastes bred out of them. Paul shares the value of a good cook and having access to tasty, healthy food. He likes the idea of including intentional community in permaculture design for this reason. He and Jocelyn finish by discussing microclimates–how cold air runs downhill–and their dislike of landscaping.





