Hmmm... So what exactly is "biodynamic gardening"? Well, maybe Google will know... Here is a definition I found on the Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association's web site:
Biodynamics is:
An impulse for deep social change rooted in the practice of farming. Biodynamics calls for new thinking in every aspect of the food system, from how land is owned to how farms are capitalized to how food is produced, distributed and prepared.
A type of organic farming that incorporates an understanding of “dynamic” forces in nature not yet fully understood by science. By working creatively with these subtle energies, farmers are able to significantly enhance the health of their farms and the quality and flavor of food.
A recognition that the whole earth is a single, self-regulating, multi-dimensional ecosystem. Biodynamic farmers seek to fashion their farms likewise as self-regulating, bio-diverse ecosystems in order to bring health to the land and to their local communities.
Hmmm... Well, that kinda makes sense. But I'm still not sure. Back to Google... Here is the Wikipidia definition:
Biodynamic agriculture is a method of organic farming that treats farms as unified and individual organisms, emphasizing balancing the holistic development and interrelationship of the soil, plants and animals as a self-nourishing system without external inputs insofar as this is possible given the loss of nutrients due to the export of food. As in other forms of organic agriculture, artificial fertilizers and toxic pesticides and herbicides are strictly avoided. There are independent certification agencies for biodynamic products, most of which are members of the international biodynamics standards group Demeter International.
Regarded by some as the first modern ecological farming system and one of the most sustainable, biodynamic farming has much in common with other organic approaches, such as emphasizing the use of manures and composts and excluding of the use of artificial chemicals on soil and plants. Methods unique to the biodynamic approach include the use of fermented herbal and mineral preparations as compost additives and field sprays and the use of an astronomical sowing and planting calendar. Biodynamics originated out of the work of Rudolf Steiner, the founder of anthroposophy.That helps some more, but the descriptive phrase on the Wikipidia site that I like best is:
Biodynamic agriculturalists conceive of the farm as an organically self-contained entity with its own individuality, within which organisms are interdependent. "Emphasis is placed on the integration of crops and livestock, recycling of nutrients, maintenance of soil, and the health and well being of crops and animals; the farmer too is part of the whole." Cover crops, green manures and crop rotations are used extensively and the farms foster bio-diversity.
Biodynamic farms often have a cultural component and encourage local community. Some biodynamic farms use the Community Supported Agriculture model, which has connections with social threefolding.The description above makes a lot of sense to me. This is very much a part of our vision for Bear Butte Gardens. We are already practicing several methods that directly support this description.
So now, let's proceed a little deeper. Biodynamic agriculture addresses the following methods:
- Field preparations
- Compost preparations
- Astronomical planting calendar
- Treatment of pests and weeds
- Seed production
Here is a short explanation of the moon stuff that I found on the Down Garden Services website:
Lunar Effects
The Moon reflects light and has a gravitational effect on the Earth. Steiner proposed that this affects plant growth. The Moon has a roughly elliptical orbit so the gravitational pull varies throughout its 28 day cycle. Root growth is improved when Moon moves further out causing a decreased pull on the Earth and vice versa - this force also causes the ocean tides.
- Planting of flower, fruit and vegetable seeds is best done 2 days before a new Moon because light and gravitational forces are more favourable in the seven days that follow.
- During the next seven days the Moon appears larger each night approaching a full Moon. The increased light stimulates foliage growth, but the gravitational pull increases so root growth is less favoured - young shoots thrive and the roots rest.
- For the seven days following the full Moon the light decreases slowing foliage growth, but so does the gravitational pull and the roots can develop. This is a good time to transplant seedlings as it gives the roots better conditions to flourish.
- In the last seven days of the lunar cycle the light continues to decrease, but the gravitational pull increases so both foliage and roots rest in the run up to the new Moon of the next lunar cycle.
Hmmm... Does the moon's gravitational pull and moonlight really effect plants? When I was a young boy and learned about how the moon causes the ocean's tides, I found that pretty hard to wrap my mind around. Is this really any more far fetched than moving an enormously huge body of water up and down by 50-60 feet? The forces in play are absolutely huge! As I understand it, plants use "capillary action" to move water & nutriants throughout the plant. If the moon can cause tides, then it could certainly impact water & nutriant movement in a vegetable plant.
I don't fully understand the astronomical part yet, but at least I now know it has some basis on science and common sense, instead of "Oh! The full moon is so pretty! My garden plants like it too! They are gonna grow so good!"
So, actually, the more I learn about biodynamic gardening, the more sense it makes to me. I'm feeling good. I'm on a roll. I actually get this stuff! ...Until I read the details about Steiner's "Biodynamic Preparations" and "Treatment of Pests and Weeds". Da, da, da, dum! Come on! Horn of a cow? Oak bark placed inside the skull of a domesticated animal? Deploying ashes of field mice when Venus is in the Scorpious constellation? Spraying weed seeds with the clear urine of a sterile cow? Now I'm skeptical again. This sounds like witch doctor tactics! I guess I need to do more research, and try to find a more modern interpretation of this information. There must be a reasonable explanation somewhere. Oh Google...
If anyone can explain this to me, I'm all ears!
Rick Grosek
Bear Butte Gardens
Rick@BearButteGardens.com
http://www.bearbuttegardens.com/
