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Stinging nettles are indeed a fantastic green vegetable! They are highly nutritious, packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, calcium, and protein. Once cooked or processed (blanching neutralizes their sting), they can be used in soups, teas, pestos, or even as a spinach substitute in recipes. Their nutrient density makes them an excellent addition to a healthy diet. They are also fantastic for the soil when used as a "cut and drop" material. As a natural green manure, they decompose quickly, releasing essential nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and trace minerals back into the soil. This improves soil fertility, boosts microbial activity, and enhances organic matter. Additionally, nettles encourage beneficial insects and can suppress weeds when used as mulch, making them a great resource for sustainable gardening and permaculture practices.

Absolutely! Instead of labeling this as "messy," we should celebrate it as "healthy" and natural. A thriving garden often reflects the complex and vibrant systems that sustain life-layers of biodiversity, organic matter, and habitats for wildlife. Encouraging people to shift their perspective and embrace this appearance aligns with the reality that nature is inherently untamed and dynamic. Gardens don't need to be neat and tidy; they should be spaces where life flourishes in all its beautiful complexity. Let's redefine our idea of beauty in gardening! 🌿🌼🐝

Yes this works well. indd.adobe.com/view/f9cadb93-b892-4fb8-956e-6ce9d9a49a77

It's certainly true that plants put nutrients into the soil. Mollison mentions the idea that the only things that should leave a farm are the ones that can leave on their own. That's speaking to the idea that your plants need to be recycled in place to keep the nutrients in the soil. When you harvest a crop and send all that biomass away from the farm/garden, that's when plants take nutrients away.

Thank you 😍

Morning! Great question. It is a domestic kiln designed for individuals to lift and use on their own. For this reason we scaled down the size and weight. The ratio from feedstock to Biochar is 2:1 or 2:0.5 (this changes depending on the feedstock moisture content) and we measure this in litres (volume). As when wet, like you said, the volume of Biochar can actually weigh more due to the absorption of water. The inner chamber when full will take 25 litres of feedstock, yielding between 10-12 litres of Biochar. Thank you!

That's a fascinating point! I hadn't considered the role of microorganisms in consuming CO2 during the composting process. It seems like a promising way to reduce our carbon footprint. Permaculture and regenerative practices definitely have a lot of potential to help us heal the planet. Thanks for sharing this valuable information.

The statement "The world needs more CO2" is a complex one, and there are different perspectives on the role of CO2 in the environment. The Role of CO2 in Plant Growth Plants need CO2 for photosynthesis, the process by which they convert sunlight into energy. More CO2 can potentially lead to increased plant growth and productivity. The Greenhouse Effect CO2 is a greenhouse gas, which means it traps heat in the atmosphere. This is what keeps the Earth warm enough to support life. However, too much CO2 can lead to global warming, which has a number of negative consequences, such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and loss of biodiversity. The Role of Biochar Biochar is a charcoal-like substance that is made by heating plant material in a low-oxygen environment. It can be used as a soil amendment to improve soil fertility and water retention. Biochar can also help to sequester carbon, meaning it can help to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. In the context of the video lottie may have been discussing the potential benefits of using biochar to sequester carbon and improve plant growth. However, it's important to remember that increasing CO2 levels in the atmosphere is a major contributor to climate change, and that we need to find ways to reduce our emissions.

@@AgritonUK CO2 is not a major contributor, water is.

Thank you.

No, burning, making biochar, and mulching do not produce the same amount of CO2 in the long run. Here's a breakdown: Burning: Burning organic material releases most of the carbon stored in it as CO2 immediately. This is why burning is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Making Biochar: Biochar is produced by heating organic material in a low-oxygen environment. This process converts some of the carbon into a stable form that is resistant to decomposition. The carbon in biochar remains stored in the soil for a long time, reducing the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere. Mulching: Mulching involves covering the soil with organic material, such as leaves, grass clippings, or wood chips. Mulch can help to reduce soil erosion, improve water retention, and increase soil fertility. While some of the carbon in mulch will eventually decompose and release CO2, a portion of it will be stored in the soil in the form of humus. Overall, making biochar and mulching can be effective strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while burning is a significant source of emissions.

Yes. speak to lottie www.earthlybiochar.com/pages/contact-us

Hello! Yes we send our kilns worldwide to the USA, Canada, Australia, NZ and Europe free of charge - the shipping is included in the kiln price. Anyone in Asia needs to get in touch for a shipping quote. Thank you for your kind words, we’re really happy to hear the positive feedback.

Thank you. Do you have any links you could share with us on this please? It would be great to read up on this. Its all new to me.

Hello! Sorry I think the audio recording might have misheard me - I agree, and it’s what I was meant to say, that Biochar works especially well in those two soil types for those reasons you mentioned. Thank you!

You're absolutely right! Seaweed biochar is an excellent choice for vegetable gardening due to its high nitrogen content and other beneficial properties. Key Benefits of Seaweed Biochar: Nutrient-Rich: Seaweed biochar is naturally rich in nitrogen, potassium, and other essential nutrients that plants need to thrive. Improved Soil Structure: It helps to improve soil structure by increasing its water-holding capacity and aeration. Enhanced Nutrient Retention: Seaweed biochar can help to prevent nutrient leaching, ensuring that plants have access to the nutrients they need. Disease Suppression: Some studies suggest that seaweed biochar can help to suppress plant diseases. Carbon Sequestration: As a type of biochar, it can help to sequester carbon from the atmosphere, contributing to climate change mitigation.

Yes, it's definitely possible to engineer a biochar kiln to heat a home and its water system. The heat generated during the biochar production process can be captured and used to warm living spaces and heat water. Here's a basic concept of how this could work: Kiln Design: The kiln would need to be designed with a heat exchanger. This could be a metal pipe or coil that runs through the hottest part of the kiln. Heat Transfer: As the biomass burns in the kiln, the heat is transferred to the heat exchanger. Water Heating: A water tank could be connected to the heat exchanger. As heated water flows through the exchanger, it absorbs heat from the kiln and becomes hot. Home Heating: The heated water can then be circulated through radiators or underfloor heating systems to warm the home.

@@AgritonUKhave you come across any designs for a self build of something like this?

@@milesperkin5794 www.carbonfarmers.world/

@@milesperkin5794 permies.com/t/72466/Cheap-easy-mini-homemade-biochar

@@milesperkin5794 stoves.bioenergylists.org/content/welsh-biochar-making

Whether biochar is worth the effort depends on your specific needs and circumstances. While it can be a bit more involved than traditional composting, the benefits can be significant. Pros: Improved soil health: Biochar can increase soil's water-holding capacity, nutrient retention, and aeration. Carbon sequestration: Biochar can help sequester carbon from the atmosphere, contributing to climate change mitigation. Reduced nutrient leaching: Biochar can help prevent nutrients from leaching into waterways. Pest and disease control: Some studies suggest that biochar can help reduce pest and disease problems. Cons: Initial investment: Creating biochar requires a pyrolysis unit, which can be a significant upfront cost. Time-consuming: The process of producing biochar can be time-consuming. Potential for negative effects: If not used properly, biochar can have negative effects on soil health, such as increasing soil acidity. If you're considering using biochar, it's important to weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks. If you have a lot of organic waste and are interested in improving soil health and reducing your carbon footprint, biochar might be a worthwhile investment. However, if you're looking for a low-maintenance composting solution, traditional methods may be more suitable.

​@AgritonUK When she says you can use it right away, she means you need to inoculate it first before putting it into your soil. It will suck nutrients if not filled first. Here in Oregon one biochar builder did a great exhibit, and he said that Himalayan blackberry stalks work great. We have lots of that. So far, I just buy from local ag concentrate company. Love the concept.

That's really interesting to hear about. It's unfortunate that the health of the land and people isn't a top priority in your region. Could you share more about this product and its potential benefits? Perhaps we can work together to raise awareness and advocate for its use

I will try and make contact with the people who are developing the product. Unfortunately they left New Zealand because at the time there were some very tyrannical measures being forced here and they didn't want their children to have a certain forced medical intervention. It caused many good people to leave this island nation. This place is not clean and green like the false marketing proclaims, far from it!

Absolutely, it's a major concern. Perhaps we could advocate for more organic farming practices or explore alternative herbicides that are less harmful to the environment

Have you heard about any recent initiatives or regulations aimed at reducing glyphosate usage in agriculture

Glad you like it!

It really is!