Greg Martin

I don't make raised beds, but if I did I would probably try burning the wood's faces for a shou sugi ban style wall.  As a bonus it can be really beautiful.
There is a a thread here on Permies about doing this.  Several people mentioned it taking a lot of time and fuel to burn the wood faces.  I'd move the wood over a camp fire as I wouldn't want to use fuel.  There is also a method where 3 boards are wired together to make a sort of chimney and that is placed over a small fire to get the internal wood faces to char nicely, though seems a bit smoky!

The high pressures are needed to get the water to a high enough temperature for the carbons to rearrange into the aromatic state.  Lower temperatures would require a better catalyst, but a quick search is showing catalysts for hydrochar taking the needed pressure down to 225 psi, so still concerning without the right equipment.

I was interested in making hydrochar when I first read about it until I read how high the pressure they were using was, something like 20 atm or more.  Still somewhat interested but just had me concerned about explosions.

What was the caterpillar’s New Year’s resolution?
She wanted to turn over a new leaf.

Another person just called me, coughed, sneezed and hung up.
I sure am tired of getting these cold calls.

Searching for 'Bigger Better Butternut' squash doesn't seem to bring any current suppliers up, but it does show that this variety was Carol's dehybridization of the 'Ultra HP F1" hybrid, which is still available.  While a traditional seed saver might not want that one, anyone interested in making a giant butternut landrace would see its hybrid status as a bonus.  I went ahead and ordered that one to play with along with several other big ones.

From a fellow Mainer, welcome to Permies, Ada.  Sounds like a wonderful set of projects.  Looking forward to learning more about your plans!

What nationality is Santa?
North Polish.

Got a job at the bakery.
I kneaded the dough.

Wait, does that mean that my "I love Maine" mug is not funny to Canadians???