Plants make music with this device

(Brut India, 2021) Artist (founder of Data Garden record label and Plant Wave biofeedback technology) invents device that can listen to plant music.

New research at Michael Pollan's laboratory at UC Berkeley confirms what Cambridge scientist J.C. Bose, Paramahamsa Yogananda, Peter Tompkins, Christopher Bird, Tel Aviv University researchers, dryads, sensitives, empaths like Dr. Doreen Virtue and Dr. Caroline Myss and gardeners everywhere have known and been telling us for a long time.

• VIDEO: Botanist Bose on Secret Life of Plants (SRF)
• Plants are conscious, emit sounds, TALK
• Michael Pollan on Consciousness (NPR)
• VIDEO: New research on PLANT intelligence
• VIDEO: "The Secret Life of Plants"
• Plants are conscious: Scientist J.C. Bose

'Must-Know Go-To Survival Plants' (book)

Must-Know Go-To Survival Plants of North America

American plant expert Christopher Nyerges

Local guide and prolific author Christopher Nyerges, founder of the School of Self-Reliance, and his wife Helen Nyerges have 4.0 out of 5 stars (with 1 review) with their guidebook Must-Know Go-To Survival Plants of North America.

This easy-to-read book includes a line drawing for each plant and photos that make identification easy. There is also a numerical graph that gives each plant a “score,” depending on how useful the plants are for

• food,
• medicine,
• water,
• fire,
• shelter, and
• other uses.

There is also a guide on how to use and store plants, showing whether a plant can be eaten raw or cooked, and whether it is best when stored dried, frozen, or pickled, or all three.

The authors include plants readers are likely to find anywhere across North America. They also include plants they use most of the time because these plants are widespread, common, easy to recognize, and good tasting.

Also available on Amazon

The book contains 29 entries, though it covers many more than 29 individual plants. For example, in the tree section, there is a discussion of elderberries, oaks, and willows. What they say about these three genera of trees is applicable to every species worldwide of elders, oaks, and willows.

There are 20 species of Sambucus (elder) worldwide, about 600 species of Quercus (oak trees) worldwide, and about 400 species of Salix (willows) worldwide. What is written about Rubus (blackberry) applies to all species, and comments about cattail apply to all 15 species worldwide.

The book talks about individual species used as food -- such as chickweed, lamb’s quarter, and purslane. Several in the section on herbaceous plants contain many individual species, such as grasses, with about 10,550 species worldwide, and onions of which there are about 500 species worldwide, and seaweeds.

Seaweeds are marine algae, divided into the three major categories: green, red, and brown for a combined total of about 10,000 species worldwide.

The book is a refreshing addition to any botanical collection whether one studies as a novice or expert.

• BOOK: Must-Know Go-To Survival Plants of North America (School of Self-Reliance)
• Christopher and Helen Nyerges, SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com; Amazon.com; Dhr. Seven, Xochitl (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Plant now for Tulip Day: garden flowers

Europe: Netherlands' tulip mania

The tulip flower reigns supreme as the ultimate harbinger of spring. One awakens one late winter day expecting to gaze once again upon a frozen terrain, but one spies a leafy hint of green. Could it be?

A sign of hope for warmer and more colorful days to come! To achieve this late winter miracle, gardeners will need to plan ahead.

If the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, and the second best is right NOW, then the best time to plant a tulip bulb is usually about four to five months before this fateful day.

However, exactly when to purchase and plant tulip bulbs can vary substantially depending on one's climate zone. If someone doesn't know what her USDA plant hardiness zone is, she can identify it with a zip code via the helpful 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Once s/he has this piece of information, that person can double-check it with a local bulb supplier to know exactly when to plant. More: msn.com

• National Tulip Day
  
• Magdalenengarten, Germany
• Native American ethnobotany
• TULIP DAY: May 13, 2026 (National Today)

Tulip Mania hits European nation

Tulip Day is observed every year on May 13th. It is a day to celebrate tulips, which are brightly colored, spring-blooming flowers. [Plant NOW for best results.] Tulips originated in Buddhist Central Asia, where they grew wild, though cultivation of the flower began in Turkey (Anatolia) around 1000 A.D. From then on, they became highly prized in the Ottoman Empire, such that they were specially cultivated for the pleasure of the Sultan. The flower’s sojourn to Europe took place in the 16th century when they were planted in the Netherlands for medicinal purposes. [This resulted in tulip mania]. Today, tulips are still heavily associated with the European country. More

Wisdom of Permaculture (Garden, CERN)

(Andrew Millison) How to see the hidden patterns of Nature (that's Mother Nature, Buddha Nature not so much)

• What in the world is "permaculture"?

Permaculture One: Perennial Agra

The book Permaculture One presents unique strategies for creating a food-producing system specifically suited to our needs, whether we garden in our backyard or engage in full-scale farming. By carefully designing a system around functional relationships between plant and animal species we can create a stable "cultivated ecology" suited to local conditions. This book provides a catalog of 130 trees and plants useful to a permaculture system. More

Permaculture: Design Manual (Mollison)

Permaculture explained

Permaculture is an approach to [sustainable farming] land management and settlement design that adopts arrangements observed in flourishing natural ecosystems. It includes a set of design principles derived using whole-systems thinking.

It applies these principles in fields such as regenerative agriculture, town planning, rewilding, and community resilience.

The term was coined in 1978 by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, who formulated the concept in opposition to modern industrialized methods, instead adopting a more traditional or "natural" approach to agriculture [1, 2, 3].

Seed to Plate Soil to Sky (Lois Ellen Frank)

We can heal this and go natural. - Really?

Multiple thinkers in the early and mid-20th century explored no-dig gardening, no-till farming, and the concept of "permanent agriculture," which were early inspirations for the field of permaculture [4].

Mollison and Holmgren's work from the 1970s and 1980s led to several books, starting with Permaculture One in 1978, and to the development of the "Permaculture Design Course," which has been one of the main methods of diffusion of permacultural [money-making] ideas [5].

Starting from a focus on land usage in Southern Australia, permaculture has since spread in scope to include other regions and other topics, such as appropriate technology and intentional community (commune) design [6]. More: Permaculture - Wikipedia

But what's reality, really, CERN?

(Julia McCoy) Scientists at CERN discovered a hidden layer beneath reality [samsaric simulation?] -- and it won't disappear. AI can calculate a hidden substrate better than organic human scientists? Are we living in a simulation rather than a base reality?

Moon Valley Nurseries: Harvest (10/18)

Moon Valley Nurseries' Harvest Moon

Join Moon Valley Nurseries on Oct. 18th and 19th, 2025, at nearest Moon Valley Nurseries (MVN) to celebrate its 30th anniversary. As a special anniversary gift, MVN wants to give customers the chance to win $5,000 in trees. Enter raffle at all stores this weekend only. As a bonus, MVN will be celebrating the fall season, giving away FREE pumpkins and partying all weekend long! More

For over three decades, MVN has set the standard for excellence in delivering superior trees, plants, and landscaping services... At MVN, the mission is to enhance lives and environments through premium trees, plants, and expert landscaping services. With over 30 years of experience, MVN is dedicated to providing exceptional... More

• Moon Valley Nurseries on YouTube

Regrow Altadena: Free Fest (9/13-14)

Regrow Altadena (BASEstud.io)

REGROW ALTADENA: Here's the overview: We are hosting a "FREE Regrow Altadena: Resilient, Sustainable Communities" beginning on Saturday, Sept. 13th.

This FREE two-day event brings together innovation and community, featuring resilient and affordable homebuilding and home hardening solutions, people-focused mobility, community emergency hub concepts, and shared neighborhood resources like solar, fire detectors, and gardens.

The program also features panel conversations (one with Dharma Buddhist Meditation's Seven)—hosted by and centered on Altadena voices—with active audience participation.

• REGROW ALTADENA (FREE) (BASEstud.io)
• Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13-14th 3:30-8:30 pm
• Eagle’s Hall: 455 E. Woodbury Rd., Altadena 91001
• Next to Christmas Tree Lane (Santa Rose Ave.)
• Regrow Altadena (@regrow_altadena) • Instagram
• Regrow Altadena | Facebook

TOPICS INCLUDE:

• Future Altadena, Community Assets, Building Better, Home Hardening, Fire-Adaptive Vegetation and Heat Islands, Clean and Healthy Living, People-Focused Mobility and Light Equity. Food by Support & Feed, Fair Oaks Burgers
• PARKING: 536 E. Mendocino St., Altadena, CA 91001
• Regrow Altadena: One Plant at a Time
• RSVP (FREE)
• (Disclosure Fest) Regrow Altadena: FREE Festival, live music, food, solar, gardening..., Sat, Sep 13, 2025, 3:00 PM | Meetup
• (PasaDharma) Regrow Altadena: FREE Festival, live music, panels, solar, gardening..., Sat, Sep 13, 2025, 3:00 PM | Meetup
• (Nature Center) Regrow Altadena: FREE Festival: live music, food, gardening, rebuilding..., Sat, Sep 13, 2025, 3:00 PM | Meetup

Main event overview

RESILIENCE and COMMUNITY ASSETS Community + Climate + Culture 🌱 Regrow Altadena is where innovation meets community.

Join R.A. for two days of hands-on climate solutions, resilient home ideas, shared gardens, local food, and music that moves the soul. And all of it is 100% FREE.

Together, we’re building a future where neighborhoods are stronger, greener, and more connected. #RegrowAltadena #ClimateSolutions #CommunityStrong

Hands in the soil, feet on the dance floor

We're here to rock out and move our bums!

From solar powered neighborhoods to thriving community gardens, Regrow Altadena is about solutions all can see, taste, and feel. And yes—it’s free with live music.

Music by Soul Force Project (with Paul Livingstone, Alma Cielo, and band). 🎶 Bring family, ideas, and some dancing shoes! #ClimateAction #LocalLove

Where neighbors become a movement

This isn’t just an event—it’s a blueprint for a resilient Altadena. 🌞 Affordable, fire-hardened homes 🌿 Fresh, local food 🎵 Live music that keeps us inspired Come for the ideas. Stay for the connection. Leave with hope. #Vegan #ResilientCommunities #ClimateFuture

Power in what we share 🌞

The sun will rise again over this city.

From solar panels to shared gardens, Regrow Altadena is about building community assets that keep us strong. Add fire detectors, clean energy, and the wisdom of local voices—and together we’ve got a neighborhood that thrives, no matter what comes our way. FREE and for everyone. #SharedStrength #CommunityPower

Voices + Solar + Safety Altadena’s greatest resource? Its people. 💬 That’s why Regrow Altadena is weaving local voices together with practical tools—solar power, thriving gardens, and fire detection that saves lives. Because resilience isn’t built alone—it’s built together. #ResilientTogether #LocalVoices

BUILD BETTER & HOME HARDENING Safer Homes, Stronger Communities 🏡✨ Regrow Altadena is FREE and open to everyone! Learn how to fire-harden a home and keep our neighborhoods resilient. Add in local food, gardens, and live music—and we’ve got a weekend that’s both fun and future-proof. #FreeEvent #ResilientHomes

Protect what's loved

Wildfires are real—but so are solutions. 💪 At this FREE Regrow Altadena event, discover simple ways to make local homes more fire-resistant, explore resilient community ideas, and celebrate with food, neighbors, and live music. Let’s protect Altadena, together. #FireSafe #CommunityStrong

From Roofs to Roots FREE weekend event → real-world solutions. 🔥 Fire-hardened homes 🌱 Community gardens 🎶 Local music 🌞 Clean energy Regrow Altadena is where resilience meets joy. Bring family, connect with neighbors, and leave with tools to build a safer, greener future. #FreeEvent #ResilientAltadena #ClimateAction

Build homes that stand strong

Learning from Pacific Palisades Fire 2025

🏡 Fire seasons are changing—but our homes can adapt. At Regrow Altadena, explore fire-resilient building ideas: ember-resistant materials, smart design, and landscaping that protects. It’s FREE, it’s practical, and it’s about protecting what we love most—our families and our community. #FireResilientHomes #StrongerTogether

Safer by Design 🔥 The future of homebuilding is fire-resilient. From non-combustible, fast, and efficient new build solutions to defensible space, Regrow Altadena is bringing builders, designers, and neighbors together to share the tools and know-how. All free. All for a safer and more connected community. #ClimateReadyHomes #ResilientLiving

Tomorrow’s Homes, Today We don’t just rebuild—we rebuild smarter. 🌿 Join us at Regrow Altadena to learn how homes can be both beautiful and fire-resilient, Free resources, free inspiration, and live music to fuel the spirit. #FireSmart #CommunityStrong

PEOPLE FOCUSED MOBILITY Streets for People FREE event 🚲🚶‍♂️ Regrow Altadena is about people-first mobility: safer streets, green transit, and walkable neighborhoods. Come imagine a future where getting around is healthy, fun, and connected. #MobilityForAll #FreeEvent

Move together

What if streets were built for people, not just cars? 🚦 At FREE Regrow Altadena, explore people-focused mobility solutions, from walkable design to clean transport. Plus food, music, and neighbors. #CommunityStrong #MobilityMatters #FreeEvent

Step Into the Future Resilient streets, safe walking, clean rides. 🚴‍♀️ At Regrow Altadena, we’re reimagining mobility—together. It’s FREE, it’s fun, and it’s for everyone. #PeopleFirst #ClimateSolutions

CLEAN and HEALTHY LIVING Eat Green, Live Clean FREE event! 🥗🌱 Discover plant-powered meals, local gardens, and fresh ways to eat clean and live healthy. Add in music and community—this is food for body + soul. #PlantBasedLiving #EatGreen

Fresh from the garden, straight to the table

Can we grow groves of delicious fruit?

At Regrow Altadena, taste how clean eating and local growing can transform our health. Vegan flavors, fresh ideas, and music that moves us—all FREE. #HealthyEating #VeganVibes

Food That Loves You Back Plant-based. Fresh. Local. 🌿 Join us at FREE Regrow Altadena and explore how clean eating fuels healthy, resilient living. Bring an appetite for change (and good food). #CleanAndGreen #EatLocal #FreeEvent

Rebuilding with native plants panel

FIRE-ADAPTIVE VEGETATION and HEAT ISLANDS Cool the Block, Protect the Home FREE event 🌱☀️ Learn how fire-smart gardens and shade trees can keep our homes safe and our streets cooler. Solutions that grow with us. #FireSmart #BeatTheHeat

• PANEL on Sunday at 7:00 pm focuses on fire risk. Rising temperatures are reshaping how communities manage landscapes. This panel explores how native vegetation, shaded corridors, and green infrastructure can reduce wildfire risk while lowering urban heat. Panelists discuss approaches to land stewardship that balance ecological health with public safety, how residents can turn yards, parks, and public spaces into buffer zones against wildfires and extreme seasonal temperatures.

Green Shields Against Fire + Heat Plant choices matter. The right trees and gardens can protect homes from fire and cut neighborhood heat. 🌿

🔥 Find out how at FREE Regrow Altadena—where solutions grow stronger together. #ClimateReady #ResilientAltadena #FreeEvent

Shade, Safety, and Shared Roots: From cooling tree canopies to fire-hardened yards, we’re building a safer, cooler future—together. 🌳 Join us for FREE workshops, food, and music at Regrow Altadena. #FireResilient #CoolCommunities

FUTURE ALTADENA Future Altadena: Strong roots, bright future

🌄 What does tomorrow look like for Altadena? A community that protects its people, preserves its history, and plans smart for the future. At Regrow Altadena, the Future Altadena panel will explore how neighborhoods can thrive through thoughtful design, resilient infrastructure, and equity-centered growth. FREE, community-driven, and full of inspiration. #FutureAltadena #ResilientCommunities

Imagine Altadena, Reimagined ✨ The future isn’t something that happens to us—it’s something we build together. From local identity and grassroots organizing to climate-ready development, the Future Altadena panel brings voices from across the community to shape a stronger, more sustainable tomorrow. And yes—there’s food, music, and connection. All FREE. #AltadenaStrong #CommunityFuture

From Past to Future, Together Altadena’s story is rooted in resilience. 🌳 Now it’s time to write the next chapter. At Regrow Altadena, the Future Altadena panel dives into how housing, small business, culture, and green innovation can create a future where everyone thrives. Join us—free, local, and full of ideas worth sharing. #FutureAltadena #CommunityStrong

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

The BASEstud.io Regrow Altadena Expo is looking for dedicated volunteers to help facilitate our two-day event focused on resilient, sustainable communities. This is a unique opportunity to gain experience in event management, network with innovators, and support community-responsive innovation.

Our exhibitors and speakers will focus on practical solutions for sustainable rebuilding. If you have a passion for climate solutions, green technology, or community impact, we'd love to have you on our team. Volunteer roles offer a behind-the-scenes look at the future of sustainable development. Learn more and apply to volunteer here.

Let's restore the foothills with native plants.

Want to build resilient communities? 💪 Volunteer for the BASEstud.io Regrow Altadena Expo! Help innovators and neighbors on Sept. 13-14th and make a tangible impact. ➡️ Learn more and APPLY TO VOLUNTEER HERE. #RegrowAltadena #Volunteer #CommunityBuilding #Altadena Join the BASEstud.io family!

🌱 Help us create a more sustainable Altadena at our two-day Expo, Sept. 13-14, 2025. Meet awesome people, learn about green innovation, and give back. Sign up. #Altadena #VolunteersNeeded #CommunityImpact #SustainableLiving

Gain behind-the-scenes experience at the BASEstud.io Regrow Altadena Expo, Sept. 13-14. Network with innovators from LACI and help build a greener future. Volunteer with us! #VolunteerOpportunity #CleanTech #EventManagement #LACI #ResilientCommunities

• Heidi Adams (BASEstud.io), Suzan, Laura, Dan; Deanna, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Dhr. Seven, Jen Bradshaw (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Calm herbs, Planting Medicine (radio)

Classes (Now and Then Herb School)

Sam Roberts (Now and Then Herb School) explores herbal preparations to treat FEAR.

Hear it in Berkeley on KPFA or Los Angeles on KPFK. What does the Nature's plant farmacy have to help us on our journey to calm and ease?

Planting Medicine airs Tuesdays at 1:00 pm (Pacific Time). The show enhances the community’s knowledge of HERBAL MEDICINE by sharing voices of traditional, holistic healers and healing practices.

• 
  LISTEN: Herbs for Fear | KPFA Planting Medicine – 1:00 pm, March 18, 2025 (heard on March 11th)
• Hear/download: Online Archives - KPFK
• Planting Medicine (KPFA program)
• The Herbal Highway Archives | KPFA

Hosted and produced by Emiliano Lemus and Renée Camila. Find archived episodes of The Herbal Highway hosted and produced by Emiliano Lemus and Renée Camila. Archived episodes: The Herbal Highway.

Why study herbalism?

Renée Camila, Mount Shasta, California

“I don't identify as an herbalist, healer, or have a particular interest in medicine.

“So initially I wasn't sure why I felt so drawn to participate in the first cohort of The Home Herbalist (previously the Now and Then Herbal Apprenticeship).

“Several years later, I continue to thank my lucky stars that I followed that impulse and connected with Sam, Renée, and the beautiful cohort I was privileged to be a part of.

Who has time to learn about sacred herbs?

“I think about conversations we had and lessons I learned from them just about every day. With deeply thoughtful, grounded, informative, compassionate, and soulful curriculum, teaching, and guidance, I don't hesitate to recommend this program even if, like me, you don't identify as an herbalist or healer.

“For me it was a loving investment in my own everyday relationship to plants, magic, and medicine on a personal level.

“Watching Sam and Renée follow their paths and cultivate meaningful work in community and relationship is a joy and an inspiration.”

Listen to show at KPFA or archive.kpfk.org

• CLASSES | Renée Camila | Herbalism and Birthwork
• CLASSES | Sam Johnson | Home and Hearth Herbs
• Pacifica Free Speech Radio, Berkeley and Los Angeles, archive.kpfk.org, 1:00 pm, March 11, 2025; Kellly Ani and Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Legal weed is full of poison: Grow it?

Smoke some weed in college instead of drinking.

Should anyone smoke CBD? Why does MA exist? What is abuse? Addiction medicine specialists like Dr. Drew Pinsky and Dr. Gabor Mate agree that when a substance begins to negative impact our lives and consequences of its use start piling up but we keep going, that's abuse. That's addiction, and calling cannabis "medicine" doesn't make a difference.

Factually! with Adam Conover

Pharmaceutical medicines can be as addictive and abused as anything from the "plant pharmacy" of natural substances. Now legal in many places, lots of Americans abuse marijuana. That's problematic, not only because it violates Buddhism's Five Precepts but because it's unskillful karma and it's poisoning them.

Legalization has not cleaned up pot but made the motive to include pesticides, fungicides, additives, and anything else that might make it more addictive, just as happened when "natural" Big Tobacco got their hands on the lowly tobacco plant. Neither nicotine in specific nor tobacco in general were very addictive until the industry got their hands on it, hired consultants, and began to add chemicals and sugars (used in curing) to it to make it highly addictive.

Pot is a plant that people plant in pots? Oh yeah.

Nicotine is a medicine. (Use patches of 7 mg or less for 6 days to resolve long-term Covid symptoms that have lingered, as Dr. Bryan Ardis advises). Before long, nicotine will be made illegal. It has to be because it is so valuable as a nutraceutical capable of undoing vaccine nanoparticles and other harmful adjuvants, excipients, and additives such as krait snake venoms, allegedly.

GROW IT YOURSELF AT HOME?

Clean hydroponics? Permaculture practices? Biodynamic farming? Indoor growroom or outdoor greenhouse? There are many ways one might take up home gardening to produce the flowering bud of Cannabis sativa or indica to use it as a natural medicine or revered entheogen.

Your legal weed is full of poison with investigative journalist Paige St. John

(Adam Conover) Feb. 19, 2025: Factually! Just because weed is legal doesn’t mean it’s safe.

Moving Beyond COVID-19 Lies (Dr. B. Ardis)

Despite its growing (profit-motive) legalization across the country, a lack of regulation has led to alarming levels of pesticides and chemicals in cannabis products — posing serious health risks.

This week, Adam Conover talks with Los Angeles Times investigative reporter Paige St. John about her recent findings on contaminated products being sold in fully legal dispensaries and what it means for consumers.

Get 20% off DeleteMe US consumer plans when at joindeleteme.com/Adam and use promo code ADAM at checkout. DeleteMe International Plans: international.joindeleteme.com.

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