Biodynamics

Origins of Biodynamics

Rudolph Steiner

Dr Rudolf Steiner, in the 1920’s, was asked about a decline in agriculture in Europe. He had already done a lot of work on health and education. He could see “that if a new agriculture didn’t eventuate that agriculture would go from bad to worse in civilized countries. Not only intermittent periods of local starvation or high prices would occur, but these conditions would become quite general…we must endeavor to shape things in such a way as to bring forth a new fertility.” At the same time, the man generally credited with proposing chemical fertilizers, Justus Von Liebig (1803-1873), was questioning his own work. He said “Inorganic forces breed only inorganic substances. Through a higher force at work in living bodies, of which inorganic forces are merely the servants, substances come into being which are endowed with vital qualities”.

In biodynamics it is these vital qualities, the etheric life force, that are enhanced in the soils and the ecology. From here they enter the food to nourish not only our bodies but also our souls.

Biodynamic preparations

Biodynamic preparations are uniquely fermented natural and organic substances that are used to steer humus forming processes in the soil, vitalise plant growth and harmonise life on the holding with that of its immediate and more distant surroundings.

Horn manure (BD 500) and horn silica (BD 501) are generally used separately, where as BD 502 to BD 507,the compost preparations are known as a set.

As we look at each one I hope you can see that there is sound reason for each ingredient and we will remove some of the hocus pocus from the practices.

Horn manure (BD 500)

This is the prime starter for the biodynamic process. The basic ingredient is cow manure, which is stuffed into a cow horn and buried over winter. When it is dug up in the spring it no longer looks and smells like cow poo but has the feel and smell of humus rich soil. This is stirred into water and spread by large droplets over the ground.

At Purple Pear we applied BD500 for 2 years before starting the other practices.

Why cow manure?
Steiner says “the dung has been inside the organism and has thus been permeated with an astral and ethereal content. In the astral it has been permeated with the nitrogen- carrying forces, and in the ethereal with the oxygen-carrying forces. For this reason it has a life-giving and also an astralizing influence upon the soil, and, what is more, in the earth element it self; not only in the watery, but notably in the earthy element. It has the force to overcome what is inorganic in the earthy element”.
There are study groups to analyze what he meant but for me the cow manure is has long been known as a great manure, well suited to growing plants. The cow with its many stomachs adds a great deal to her manure by way of enzymes and bacteria that are of benefit to the soil. Enzymes can “overcome what is inorganic in the earthy element” by means of their catalytic action working against entropy.

Why in a cow horn?
I’ve noticed that after a few years the horn becomes quite thin. The bacteria, used to change it from manure to humus, uses the inside of the horn. The horn is a type of antennae for cosmic forces. If other receptacles are used the manure stays as green as the day it was put down.

At Purple Pear we stir the preparation by hand for one hour, alternating the direction of the vortex and introducing chaos in between. Hand stirring allows for intent to be injected. Stirring machines and flow forms are used in larger operations.

Horn silica (BD 501)

This is made with finely ground silica quartz crystals buried in a horn over the summer. The silica forces work with photosynthesis and build strong skeletal and cell wall structures, assisting it resistance to fungal attack. It can also be used to hasten the maturation of the plant and the seedling process. Steiner said it is the warmth aspect of silica that is important in the plants development.
The preparation is most often sprayed in a fine mist in the early morning. Care must be taken that the plants are not burnt in the strong sun and spraying in the evening or on overcast days is recommended.

The Compost Preperations

These preperations (preps) are generally used in a set and are often called "the compost preps". Although it is important to keep them seperate in storage and in the compost, they work together to create balance in the soil nutrients. It is said that they can be used seperately to achieve a specific purpose, but at Purple Pear we have only ever used them in combination.

Yarrow (BD 502)

The flowers of the Yarrow plant (Achillea millefolium) are used in this prep and are combined with the stags bladder. The Yarrow preparation works with sulphur, potash and nitrogen in the soil as well as some other trace elements. The choice of the bladder as the organ is interesting as yarrow is said to be benificial in treating diseases of the bladder.   The yarrow flowers are placed in the bladder and hung exposed to the Sun in summer and then buried in the winter so gets six months in the air and six months in the ground.                     

Chamomile (BD 503)

German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is the flower used in this preparation. They are combined with the intestine of a cow. Chamomile works with calcium, sulphur, potash and nitrogen.The calcium/sulphur combination has fungicide propreties. A sausage is made with the dried flowers and the cow intestine and buried in Autumn in a clay pipe for ease of locating when dug up in Spring.

Stinging nettle (BD 504)

This is made by using the whole plant (Urtica dioica) when in flower. It is considered strong enough to not need augmenting in an organ and is generally placed in a clay pipe for ease of locating. Stinging nettle works with iron but also sulphur, potassium, calcium and nitrogen.

Oak bark (BD 505)

The bark of the English Oak (Quercus robur) is ground fine and placed in a skull which is emersed in water. The calcium effects can be used to reduce or eliminate the need for lime in the soil preperation.

Dandelion (BD 506)

Wilted Dandelion flowers (Taraxacum officinale) are sewn into a bovine mesentery and buried over winter.

The preperation works with silicic acid and potassium. This is important in giving the soil an ethereal quality with the ability to supply the substances the plant needs.

Valerian (BD 507)

This is a liquid preparation made by a ferment process from the juice of the flower of Valerian (Valeriana officinalis). The preperation provides for phosphorus.

 

Equisetum (BD 508)

This is not part of the compost preps but stands by itself as a fungal control. The silica forces in the horse tail (Equisetum arvence) strengthen the plants ability to cope with conditions condusive to fungal attack.

Cow Pat Pit

This preparation is also known as barrel compost and was developed by Maria Thun, who did amazing work in researching the effect of the planets on plant growth.

It is like homeopathic biodynamic compost and is used in broad acre applications to insure the compost influences are spread across a large area.

At Purple Pear we use it for the same purpose and spread it on pasture, after slashing.

The cows are moved to a new paddock, (sprayed the week before with horn silica - BD501), then the paddock is slashed to return any unused pasture, and weeds, to the soil as organic matter. The Cow Pat Pit is diluted in warm water and stirred for twenty minutes before being applied with a bucket and brush. This has the effect of assisting in the break down of the organic matter and of the production of humus.

The preparation is made by mixing cow manure with basalt dust and crushed eggshells and placed in a pit for about three months with the addition of the compost preps (502 to 507).

And stay tuned for more information on these topics....

 

Liquid manures

Rock dust

Moon planting