What is Biodynamic Gardening?

As stated by Biodynamic Agriculture Australia, Biodynamics is a regenerative agriculture, holistic in approach and practice, through which the farmer brings the substances and forces of nature into a quality and sustainable production.  Biodynamics is based on the work of Dr Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925).

Top Mandala - Cover Crop Peas - June 2010

There are many aspects of Biodynamic farming that are similar to sustainable agricultural practices which we have used on other properties.  We are using green cover cropping, crop rotation and  ensuring correct balances of the minerals in the soil in our effort to build and maintain a sustainable system based on strong soil fertility. On this farm though, our knowledge of Biodynamics continues to expand as we incorporate soil and atmospheric preparations and work with planetary rhythms.  As our practice and experience widens, so does our understanding of the nuances of Biodynmaics and of the subtle uniqueness of this piece of earth.   

Mandala Edge Herbs, Flowers, Fruit Trees

We use Biodynamic preparations to “enliven” our soil, increase the soil biology and “tune” the soil in to the relationship between plant growth and the rhythm of the cosmos. The dynamic working together of the earthly and cosmic poles is what brings about healthy plants and livestock.  We also use the atmospheric preparations to help plants with the uptake of minerals and trace elements.

We are also building our soil life and plant health using  Biodynamic compost which works to bring about an order and balance to the decomposition of the compost materials.  With good biodynamic compost we are able to add a much more varied and richer micro-biological life to the soil.  The making of this compost is a key activity on our farm.

We use the Brian Keats Antipodean Astro Calendar in conjunction with the work of Maria Thun and other Biodynamic farmers, to determine the most favourable and unfavourable days for sowing, planting and cultivating.     

For more information about our Biodynamic farming practices, liquid brews and gardening notes, please see our seasonal notes.

For more information about Biodynamics, visit Biodynamic Agriculture Australia at  http://www.biodynamics.net.au