Biodynamics
About 100 years ago the problems around farming and gardening were not very different from today: the loss of soil fertility, low germination of seeds, new diseases in cattle and low quality of food
A group of farmers, growers, beekeepers, vets, and scientists invited Rudolf Steiner to an estate near what is now Wroclaw in Poland to come up with some suggestions to improve the situation
He gave 8 lectures with questions and answers afterwards. In English these are called ‘The Agriculture Course’. Formally this was the start of a vision of working with the land but also with the planets and their constellations to try and make a change
Rudolf Steiner brought in ancient practices that people working on the land have used for centuries
Although in 1924 this elite group of people got together in Europe it is understood that the biodynamic way is for the world
100 years later farmers, fruit growers, winegrowers, vegetable growers and conservationists in India, Argentina, New Zealand and Egypt are using the biodynamic preparations on their land having made changes that were not thought possible in a challenging time of climate change and economic settings
In Scotland there are biodynamic farms and gardens in Aberdeenshire, Dumfries, Perthshire and Midlothian
Every year people from all over the world come together in February. They meet in the Goetheanum near Basel, Switzerland. This year the subject was: ‘Finding the spirit of agriculture’. In 2021 the meeting will be about the climate crisis
A group of farmers, growers, beekeepers, vets, and scientists invited Rudolf Steiner to an estate near what is now Wroclaw in Poland to come up with some suggestions to improve the situation
He gave 8 lectures with questions and answers afterwards. In English these are called ‘The Agriculture Course’. Formally this was the start of a vision of working with the land but also with the planets and their constellations to try and make a change
Rudolf Steiner brought in ancient practices that people working on the land have used for centuries
Although in 1924 this elite group of people got together in Europe it is understood that the biodynamic way is for the world
100 years later farmers, fruit growers, winegrowers, vegetable growers and conservationists in India, Argentina, New Zealand and Egypt are using the biodynamic preparations on their land having made changes that were not thought possible in a challenging time of climate change and economic settings
In Scotland there are biodynamic farms and gardens in Aberdeenshire, Dumfries, Perthshire and Midlothian
Every year people from all over the world come together in February. They meet in the Goetheanum near Basel, Switzerland. This year the subject was: ‘Finding the spirit of agriculture’. In 2021 the meeting will be about the climate crisis
Preparing Horn Manure 500 for spreading at Garvald Farm
The Biodynamic preparations are made from minerals, animal manure and herbs
They are often put in part of animals e.g. cowhorns and buried in the soil for a season This strengthens the power of the preparation with the qualities of the Earth but also the relationship with the animal world Biodynamics has the respect for animals at its heart. However, it is not vegetarian or vegan Stirring the preparations is a social activity that can bring people together |
The Horn Manure 500
A power manure
Cow manure stuffed in a cowhorn and buried for six months over winter
A small amount is put into water and stirred /dynamized for one hour
It is sprayed in Spring time to prepare the soil for sowing and planting
A power manure
Cow manure stuffed in a cowhorn and buried for six months over winter
A small amount is put into water and stirred /dynamized for one hour
It is sprayed in Spring time to prepare the soil for sowing and planting
Horn silica 501
A light- heat manure
Silica –quartz stuffed in a cowhorn and buried for six months from spring to summer
A small amount is put into water and stirred for one hour
It is finely sprayed and it brings heat and light to the plants
A light- heat manure
Silica –quartz stuffed in a cowhorn and buried for six months from spring to summer
A small amount is put into water and stirred for one hour
It is finely sprayed and it brings heat and light to the plants
The Compost preparations
These are six plants used in a variety of ways:
Yarrow 502, Chamomile 503, Nettle 504, Oak bark 505, Dandelion 506, Valerian 507
They are put in the compost heap to add minerals to the heap. Each preparation also has a connection to one of the planets
The use of animal organs in combination with the qualities of the herbs gives more significance to the compost
These are six plants used in a variety of ways:
Yarrow 502, Chamomile 503, Nettle 504, Oak bark 505, Dandelion 506, Valerian 507
They are put in the compost heap to add minerals to the heap. Each preparation also has a connection to one of the planets
The use of animal organs in combination with the qualities of the herbs gives more significance to the compost
Please have a look at the book "Biodynamic Gardening" by Monty Waldin This gives very clear pictures and practical guidelines about the compost preparations
Maria Thun is a biodynamic practitioner who started the biodynamic planting calendar and also experimented with the Barrel Preparation. See her book "Gardening for Life"
The Biodynamic Agricultural Association has lots of useful advice
Maria Thun is a biodynamic practitioner who started the biodynamic planting calendar and also experimented with the Barrel Preparation. See her book "Gardening for Life"
The Biodynamic Agricultural Association has lots of useful advice