Vegetable Pesto Pasta

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This recipe works well with broccoli, carrots, green beans, peas and zucchini.  The carrots, zucchini and green beans can be pan fried in a little olive oil or butter or steamed and then added to the pasta when done.  The broccoli can either be steamed separately or added to the pasta when it is cooking.  If the peas are fresh, you can add them to the carrots right before removing from heat or add to the pasta water right before it is done. Ingredients 3 packed cups fresh basil leaves (removed from stems) 2 large cloves fresh garlic ½ cup pine nuts, walnuts, almonds or a combination ¾ cup (packed) fresh chopped parsley ¾ cup fresh-grated parmesan ½ cup olive oil ¼ cup melted butter salt to taste

Method 1. Begin cooking pasta of your choice. All pastas work well with pesto. 2. Combine all ingredients except cheese in a blender on low, then medium speed. Thoroughly work everything into smooth paste. You can also do this in a mortar and pestle. 3. At this stage, you can put portions into containers and freeze for the winter.  Add cheese, mixing gently to combine. 4. Combine cooked pasta, cooked vegetables, pesto and extra cheese, salt and pepper to taste.

Source: Moosewood Cookbook – Mollie Katzen

Grilled Zucchini

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We love grilled zucchini topped with marinated feta (Feta in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, fresh chopped basil, salt and pepper) and semi dried tomatoes! Ingredients 1 zucchini olive oil chopped basil 3 cloves of garlic, pressed or finely chopped salt and ground pepper

Method 1.    Slice zucchini into good ½ cm rounds or lengthwise 2.    Layer in a baking dish sprinkling basil, garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil in between layers. 3.    Marinade for at least 4 hours but as much as 12. 4.    Clean hot grill with olive oil.  Place zucchini on. 5.    Grill for about 5 min each side, flipping just after the zucchini begins to soften.  Remove before zucchini is so soft it falls apart. 6.    You can brush the marinade over the slices as they are grilling.

Biodynamic Gardening Notes 18 - 24 January

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With the perigee of the moon on  Wednesday the 18th at 07:29, the moon is at its closest to the earth.  Perigee brings greater moisture and a tendency towards fungal growth. So keep a close eye on those plants prone to blights and mildews. Perigee times bring a stress period as well and seed sowing should be avoided 12 hours on either side of these times (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 53). Casuarina tea, seaweed brew and witch’s brew give support to the plants and help them to overcome any fungus, mildews and/or rusts which may be starting.

A Moon node will occur on Friday the 2oth at 04:27.  Moon nodes occur where the moon’s path crosses the path of the Sun.  The influence of the node lasts for approximately 2 hours on either side of the node.  The effect is similar to that of an eclipse of the Sun by the Moon and it is best to avoid any agricultural or horticultural work for this brief period (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 53).

The new moon is on Monday the 23rd at 17:39.  Indian agriculture recognized the day before New Moon as No Moon day, a day on which no agricultural work was done.

The moon is ascending this week until Friday morning – The earth breathes out.  We see this as growth activity above the soil.  Growth forces and saps flow upwards more strongly and increase the plants vitality. This is the time to spray horn silica preparation 501, cultivate at the appropriate constellation before sowing, harvest on an air constellation plants for medicinal purposes, flowers and plants for preparation making and field crops such as silage and hay (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 51-53).

The moon begins descending on Friday evening – The earth is breathing in and drawing growth forces back down below the soil surface.  The lower parts of the plants, especially the roots, are activated.  Activities that take advantage of the descending moon include making and spreading compost, transplanting seedlings and trees, taking and planting cuttings, and cultivating soil.

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday until 23:56, the moon is in a water sign. Water signs are favourable for leaf plants.  These include all the plants whose leaves we harvest: cabbages, cauliflower, parsley, coriander, lettuce, spinach, bok choy, silver beet, asparagus and fennel.

Saturday, Sunday and Monday until 03:54, the moon is in a fire sign.  Warmth or fire signs are favourable for fruit plants.  These include all plants whose seed fruit we harvest: beans, peas, grains, cucumbers, squashes, lentils, corn, capsicums, rice, soya, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, strawberries and fruit trees.

The moon then moves into an earth sign until Wednesday at 09:47. Earth signs are favourable for root plants.  These included all plants whose roots we harvest: carrots, parsnips, radishes, beetroot, celeriac, swedes, potatoes, onions and garlic.

-Gardening Notes are compiled using Brian Keats Antipodean Astro Calendar; Maria Thun’s Gardening for Life; Biodynamic Agriculture Australia’s Biodynamic Resource Manual; Peter Cundall’s The Practical Australian Gardener; Louise Riotte’s Astrological Gardening; and the experiences and farm practices on Transition Farm

Links for more information

For more information about our Biodynamic Gardening Notes, visit our previous post About our Biodynamic Notes.

For more information about liquid brews for plant health, visit our Seasonal Notes page and click the tag “liquid brews” .

For more information about Biodynamics and to purchase biodynamic preparations, I know of three organisations in Australia:

Demeter Biodynamics at http://www.demeter.org.au/index.htm

Biodynamic Agriculture Australia at http://www.biodynamics.net.au

Australia Biodynamic- Victoria Inc.  at http://www.biodynamicsvictoria.org/

For more information about the Antipodean Astro Calendar, Biodynamic Planting and research and more visit Brian Keats’ website at http://astro-calendar.com/index.htm.

Ceasar Salad Dressing

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Ingredients1/4 clove peeled garlic 4 anchovy fillets in olive oil, drained 3 ounces freshly grated Parmesan 1 heaped tablespoon creme fraiche 1 lemon, juiced Extra-virgin olive oil

Method 1. Pound the garlic and anchovy fillets in a pestle and mortar until you have a pulp. 2. Scrape into a bowl and whisk in the Parmesan, creme fraiche, lemon juice and 3 times as much extra-virgin olive oil as lemon juice. 3. Season dressing, to taste, with salt and pepper. 4. Add to cos lettuce, thick-cut croutons, pancetta or bacon thinly sliced, anchovy fillets and shaved parmesan. Source:  Jamie at Home  -  Jamie Oliver

Cucumber Salad

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Ingredients1 large cucumber, thinly sliced 1/2 a small red onion, thinly sliced 1 tsp of sesame seeds, toasted 2 tsp of coriander (cilantro), chopped 1 clove of garlic, grated or crushed 2 tbsp of rice wine vinegar 2 & 1/2 tsps of sesame oil 1 tsp of honey

Method 1.    Combine the cucumber, chopped coriander and red onion in a bowl and toss to combine. 2.    Add the rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, garlic and honey in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Add to the salad and toss to coat evenly in the dressing. 3.    Sprinkle with the toasted sesame seeds just before serving.

Summer Share Trial 2012 - Week #1 (13th & 14th January)

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WHAT’S IN THE BOXWelcome to our first season as a CSA!  We are very excited about the coming weeks, what we have available and hearing what you think about the food and the concept.

This week the following items are in the Full Share (4 people) box.  Items, varieties and quantity will vary slightly from week to week.

Basil - 1 bunch Beetroot - 4 Broccoli - 1 head Carrots - 8 Coriander - 1 bunch Cucumbers - 2 Green Beans - 1 kg Leeks - 2 Lettuce - 2 Onions - 2 Parsley - 1 bunch Potatoes - 1.5 kg Sweet Corn - 8 ears Tomatoes - 1 kg Zucchini - 2

SURPLUS IN THE BOX THIS WEEK Basil - 3 bunches Beetroot - 2 Cabbage - ½ head Carrots - 2 Celery - 1 Cucumbers - 4 Lettuce - 2 Onions - 1 Parsley - 1 bunch Patty Pan Squash - 3

Please remember to bring your own grocery bags. Please take the time to store your vegetables properly. Check out our Vegetable & Fruit page on the website to find tips on maximizing the life of your veggies.

NOTES ON THE SHARE Our intention has been to include 10 – 12 items in a full share box each week.  This week, we have been able to put 17 different items in the box and some in greater quantity then what we anticipated.  We are so pleased that most of the things we have grown have done well.  Please take advantage of the vegetable stock recipe below while there is such a bountiful harvest.  The stock will freeze well and be a welcome addition to any meal in winter.

‘Burpees Golden’ Beetroot – In our trials, “Burpees Golden’ beetroot is best cut into match sticks in a salad as opposed to grated which greys the lovely golden colour. They are wonderful roasted with red beetroot and carrots, or eaten like an apple. Carrots – This week the carrots are ‘Atomic Red’.  They keep their colour even when cooked.  We will work through the varieties sticking with one variety per week.  Would love your feedback on the taste. Celery – The celery has grown well.  The variety is stringy though.  It adds a wonderful flavour in anything cooked. Corn – The corn is tender and fresh.  To preserve its flavour, steam it for four minutes. Cucumbers – The boxes have a mixture of ‘Green Gem’, which is a standard cucumber and ‘Sumter’, which is a pickling cucumber.  ‘Sumter’ is a little cucumber and it has a delicious flavour. Lettuce – With the summer heat, many of the more tender varieties of lettuce have bolted.  They will be back in the fall. The Half-Share boxes have green oak leaf lettuce and a green cos lettuce.  The Full-Share boxes have those two plus a red cos and a green leaf with red spots called ‘Freckles’. We have put a recipe for Caesar Salad Dressing on the website. Parsley – We have two varieties of parsley.  They are both flat leaf.  The one that looks darker in colour has a much deeper and intense flavour then the other traditional Italian flat leaf.  Use it in stocks and cooked dishes.  We suggest the ‘Continental’ Italian flat leaf  for raw dishes. Patty Pan Summer Squash – The lovely little white squash with the scalloped edges are a summer squash.  These can be cut in half, placed in a baking dish with a little stock or white wine, topped with bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and melted butter and baked in a 180 oven for 20-25min until tender.   They can also be sliced like zucchini for grilling or a stir fry. We hope to get these into everyone’s box over the coming weeks. Potatoes – Until the tops of the potato plants die back, the skins are tender and easily rub off.  They are still fine to be stored without refrigeration. Be careful not to get them wet in storage as the areas where the skin has been rubbed turns dark.  We have also found a bit of scab on some of the potatoes.   The scab is little more then visual annoyance.  They are fine inside. Tomatoes – If your tomatoes are not yet ripe, just leave them in your fruit bowl.  They will be ready before the week is over. Zucchini – If you did not get the ‘Romanesco’ variety (striped white and green) this week, we hope you will next week.

RECIPE SUGGESTIONS

Beetroot & Cream Cheese Dip 1 garlic clove, crushed 2 large cooked beetroots, peeled 250mls cream cheese, room temperature (you can also use thick Greek yoghurt) 4 tsps red wine vinegar 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint or 1 tsp horseradish(both are optional)

1.    Wrap beetroots into foil and roast in the oven at 200 degrees for approximately 30 minutes (or until tender). 2.    Wash under cold water and peel off the outer skin. 3.    Grate beetroot into a sieve over the sink. Set aside for 5 minutes to drain. 4.    Finely chop fresh mint. 5.    In a large mixing bowl, combine all remaining ingredients. Then add the grated beetroot and stir well to combine. The dip will turn bright pink.

Cucumber Salad 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced 2 tbsp of rice wine vinegar 2 1/2 tsp of sesame oil 1 tsp of honey 1/2 a small red onion, thinly sliced (optional) 1 tsp of sesame seeds, toasted (optional) 2 tsp of coriander chopped (optional) 1 clove of garlic, grated (optional)

1.    Combine the cucumber, chopped coriander and red onion in a bowl and toss to combine. 2.    Add the rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, garlic and honey in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Add to the salad and toss to coat evenly in the dressing. 3.   Sprinkle with the toasted sesame seeds just before serving.

Szechwan Green Beans 4 tbsp Chinese sesame oil 1 kilo fresh green beans, trimmed 8 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 tsp salt crushed red pepper to taste (optional)

1.   Both the wok and oil should be hot, and the beans cooked quickly over high heat.  They will attain an indescribable texture, both crunchy and very tender at the same time.  Also try to hang in there with the full quantity of garlic.  the intense cooking heat will take the edge off it, leaving behind just the right amount of flavour. 2.    Place a medium-large wok or heavy deep skillet over medium-high heat.  After a minute, add the oil.  Wait a minute or so, and add the green beans.  Turn the heat to high and stir-fry for about 5 minutes, or until the beans are well seared. 3.    Add garlic and salt (and optional crushed red pepper). Stir-fry for several more minutes, then remove from heat. Source: Still Life with Menu - Mollie Katzen

Creamy Pasta with Roasted Zucchini, Goats Cheese & Basil 2 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 3 cups) 1 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 3/4 tsp salt Pepper, to taste 2 tbsp slivered almonds 1/3 cup heavy cream 1 sprig basil, with leaves and stem 3 tbsp goat cheese (Try Main Ridge Dairy for a wonderful local product) 1/2 tsp finely grated lemon zest 400 grams whole-wheat spaghetti or linguine.

1. Heat oven to 250Cdegrees. Toss the zucchini and oil with 1/2 tsp salt and pepper to taste. Arrange zucchini on a baking sheet in a single layer. Roast, tossing occasionally, until golden and tender, 20 to 30 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, toast the almonds in a skillet over medium heat until golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl. 3. Simmer the cream and basil sprig in a small saucepan over medium heat until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 7 minutes. Whisk in the goat cheese until the sauce is smooth. Remove from heat; stir in lemon zest and 1/4 tsp salt. Cover and keep warm. 4. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain well. Toss the pasta with the cream sauce. Serve topped with the zucchini and almonds. Source: NY Times - 10/10

Summer Vegetable Stock 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp butter 1 onion, chopped into ¼ inch squares 8 branches parsley, roughly chopped 2 bay leaves Several large basil leaves Several branches of thyme 2 medium carrots, diced 4 celery stalks and leaves, roughly chopped 2 tomatoes, roughly chopped Leek tops Onion tops 1 handful green beans, roughly chopped 4 chard leaves and their stems, roughly chopped 1 tsp salt 8 whole cloves (optional) 8 whole peppercorns (optional) 2 litres cold water

1.    Heat butter and oil in a large saucepan. Add onions and herbs.  Cook briskly over medium heat for several minutes to lightly colour the onion, stirring as needed; then add other vegetables. 2.    Cook them for 12 – 15 minutes, then add water, bring to a boil, and simmer for 45 minutes. 3.    Strain the stock.  If it is to be used in pasta or a stew, you can reduce it further to intensify the flavour.

 

Biodynamic Gardening Notes 11- 17 January

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The moon is ascending this week – The earth breathes out.  We see this as growth activity above the soil.  Growth forces and saps flow upwards more strongly and increase the plants vitality. This is the time to spray horn silica preparation 501, cultivate at the appropriate constellation before sowing, harvest on an air constellation plants for medicinal purposes, flowers and plants for preparation making and field crops such as silage and hay (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 51-53). The moon is also waning this week.  Each night it rises about an hour later and is getting smaller, approaching the new moon on Monday 23rd.

Especially with all of the predicted moisture this week, it is a great week to sow root crops for harvest all through the winter.  Beetroot, carrots, parsnips and turnips will keep in the ground for most if not the whole winter.  By planting them now, you are giving them the warm months to grow before the plant slowly slows down and then goes dormant in the winter.  Look for the moon in a root sign to give the seeds their optimal chance at producing a great bulb or root.

The ascending moon is a good time for weeding.  Maria Thun emphasized that working in your garden on the constellation in which the plant you are trying to encourage lies, emphasizes that plant’s qualities.  Based on her research, weed around your cabbages in a water sign, your broccoli in a flower sign, your carrots and root crops in an earth sign and your corn in a fire sign. I would watch the weather though as there is such a high chance to spread fungus and mildew during these wet days.  Some fungus' are just soil borne organisms that because of optimum conditions gravitate up the plant instead of remaining in the soil (where we like them).  Messing with some plants when they are wet, encourages this to happen.

This is also a great week to harvest herbs – medicinal for tinctures, salves or drying; culinary for drying; or for using in biodynamic preparations.

For kitchen and medicinal herbs we recommend the following: harvest leaf and flower herbs on flower days; seeds and wild fruits on fruit days; and roots on root days.  This will ensure the best aroma and vitality.  For preserving one should choose a flower day.  – Maria Thun

Following the rhythm of the earth, it is best to harvest leaf, flower and seeds in the morning when the earth’s forces are streaming upwards.  After 3pm, the earth’s forces stream down to the roots and that is the best time of day to harvest roots.

With the moisture and the wild weather, we have been sprayingwitch’s brew to give support  to the plants and help them to overcome any fungus, mildews and/or rusts which may be starting.  We also hope that the added nettle in the brew will encourage the plant to grow through any struggle it may be having.  We have seen great results with grapes, which recovered quickly from the first signs of powdery mildew.  Pay careful attention to cucumbers, grapes, melons, pumpkins, tomatoes, and zucchini and summer squash plants.

You can continue to sow beetroot, cabbage, cucumber, carrot, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, spring onion, parsnip, radish, silverbeet, and sweetcorn. We are getting ready for seeding our fall brassicas.

On Wednesday and Thursday until 10:50, the moon is in a water sign. Water signs are favourable for leaf plants.  These include all the plants whose leaves we harvest: cabbages, cauliflower, parsley, coriander, lettuce, spinach, bok choy, silver beet, asparagus and fennel.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 14:45, the moon is in a fire sign.  Warmth or fire signs are favourable for fruit plants.  These include all plants whose seed fruit we harvest: beans, peas, grains, cucumbers, squashes, lentils, corn, capsicums, rice, soya, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, strawberries and fruit trees.

The moon then moves into an earth sign until Monday at 17:55. Earth signs are favourable for root plants.  These included all plants whose roots we harvest: carrots, parsnips, radishes, beetroot, celeriac, swedes, potatoes, onions and garlic.

The moon is in an air sign for the rest of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until 20:50.  Air signs are favourable for flower plants.  These include all the plants, which are grown for their flowers, and where we want a long flowering time: garden flowers, medicinal and preparation flowers, bulbs and broccoli.

Wednesday the 18th is the perigee of the moon, the moon is at its closest to the earth.  Perigee brings greater moisture and a tendency towards fungal growth. So keep a close eye on those plants prone to blights and mildews.  We will applying another witches brew over the weekend depending on the weather.

We will also experiment with spraying another application of 501 with the moon in an air sign right before the perigee.  Although 501 is strong enough to knock some of the flowers off the tomatoes and capsicum, I think the effect of the spray to balance the moisture in the plant and in the atmosphere is worth the experiment.  It can only help the flavour and storage capacity of those fruits already set before the spray.

-Gardening Notes are compiled using Brian Keats Antipodean Astro Calendar; Maria Thun’s Gardening for Life; Biodynamic Agriculture Australia’s Biodynamic Resource Manual; Peter Cundall’s The Practical Australian Gardener; Louise Riotte’s Astrological Gardening; and the experiences and farm practices on Transition Farm

Links for more information

For more information about our Biodynamic Gardening Notes, visit our previous post About our Biodynamic Notes.

For more information about liquid brews for plant health, visit our Seasonal Notes page and click the tag “liquid brews” .

For more information about Biodynamics and to purchase biodynamic preparations, I know of three organisations in Australia:

Demeter Biodynamics at http://www.demeter.org.au/index.htm

Biodynamic Agriculture Australia at http://www.biodynamics.net.au

Australia Biodynamic- Victoria Inc.  at http://www.biodynamicsvictoria.org/

For more information about the Antipodean Astro Calendar, Biodynamic Planting and research and more visit Brian Keats’ website at http://astro-calendar.com/index.htm.

Biodynamic Gardening Notes 28 December - 3 January

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The moon continues descending – The earth is breathing in and drawing growth forces back down below the soil surface.  The lower parts of the plants, especially the roots, are activated.  Activities that take advantage of the descending moon include making and spreading compost, transplanting seedlings and trees, taking and planting cuttings, and cultivating soil. On Tuesday the 3rd at 05:01, the Moon and Saturn are in opposition to each other.  The Moon and Saturn in opposition cycle occurs every 27.5 days.  “The Moon forces bring in the calcium processes which are connected to propagation and growth.  The Saturn forces bring in the silica processes which connect form and structure.  The balancing effect of these two influences streaming into the earth produces very strong plants from seed sown at this time.  Tests have shown the 48 hours leading up to this event is optimal time that overrides even the ascending, descending and moon in constellations for best planting time” (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 54).

“Spraying 501 when the moon and Saturn are in opposition has been found to be very effective in bringing healing and strengthening qualities.  In many cases, this has been found to strengthen the plants against specific fungus attack (Proctor, 50)”

Tuesday the 3rd at 06:20 is also the Apogee of the moon – The moon is at its furthest from the earth.  During Apogee there is always multiplicity of form, and it appears a good time to plant potatoes as these multiply.  Apogee times bring a stress period and seed sowing should be avoided 12 hours on either side of these times (except potatoes) (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 53).

The moon is in an earth sign until Thursday at 00:16. Earth signs are favourable for root plants.  These included all plants whose roots we harvest: carrots, parsnips, radishes, beetroot, celeriac, swedes, potatoes, onions and garlic.

The moon is in an air sign on Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 09:44.  Air signs are favourable for flower plants.  These include all the plants, which are grown for their flowers, and where we want a long flowering time: garden flowers, medicinal and preparation flowers, bulbs and broccoli.

On Saturday, Sunday and Monday until 21:56, the moon is in a water sign. Water signs are favourable for leaf plants.  These include all the plants whose leaves we harvest: cabbages, cauliflower, parsley, coriander, lettuce, spinach, bok choy, silver beet, asparagus and fennel.

For the rest of  Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until 10:35, the moon is in a fire sign.  Warmth or fire signs are favourable for fruit plants.  These include all plants whose seed fruit we harvest: beans, peas, grains, cucumbers, squashes, lentils, corn, capsicums, rice, soya, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, strawberries and fruit trees.

-Gardening Notes are compiled using Brian Keats Antipodean Astro Calendar; Maria Thun’s Gardening for Life; Biodynamic Agriculture Australia’s Biodynamic Resource Manual; Peter Cundall’s The Practical Australian Gardener; Louise Riotte’s Astrological Gardening; and the experiences and farm practices on Transition Farm

Links for more information

For more information about our Biodynamic Gardening Notes, visit our previous post About our Biodynamic Notes.

For more information about liquid brews for plant health, visit our Seasonal Notes page and click the tag “liquid brews” .

For more information about Biodynamics and to purchase biodynamic preparations, I know of three organisations in Australia:

Demeter Biodynamics at http://www.demeter.org.au/index.htm

Biodynamic Agriculture Australia at http://www.biodynamics.net.au

Australia Biodynamic- Victoria Inc.  at http://www.biodynamicsvictoria.org/

For more information about the Antipodean Astro Calendar, Biodynamic Planting and research and more visit Brian Keats’ website at http://astro-calendar.com/index.htm.

Biodynamic Gardening Notes 21 - 27 December

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The December solstice occurs at 15:30 on the 22 December-  Happy Summer!! With the perigee of the moon on Thursday, the 22nd, the moon is at its closest to the earth.  Perigee brings greater moisture and a tendency towards fungal growth. So keep a close eye on those plants prone to blights and mildews.

Casuarina tea, seaweed brew and witch’s brew give support to the plants and help them to overcome any fungus, mildews and/or rusts which may be starting.

With the new moon on Sunday 25th at 04:06, the moon is again waxing.  Indian agriculture recognized the day before New Moon as No Moon day, a day on which no agricultural work was done.

A Moon node will occur on Friday the 23rd at 21:37.  Moon nodes occur where the moon’s path crosses the path of the Sun.  The influence of the node lasts for approximately 2 hours on either side of the node.  The effect is similar to that of an eclipse of the Sun by the Moon and it is best to avoid any agricultural or horticultural work for this brief period (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 53).

The moon is ascending this week until Saturday morning – The earth breathes out.  We see this as growth activity above the soil.  Growth forces and saps flow upwards more strongly and increase the plants vitality. This is the time to spray horn silica preparation 501, cultivate at the appropriate constellation before sowing, harvest on an air constellation plants for medicinal purposes, flowers and plants for preparation making and field crops such as silage and hay (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 51-53).

The moon begins descending on Saturday evening – The earth is breathing in and drawing growth forces back down below the soil surface.  The lower parts of the plants, especially the roots, are activated.  Activities that take advantage of the descending moon include making and spreading compost, transplanting seedlings and trees, taking and planting cuttings, and cultivating soil.

The moon is in an air sign on Wednesday and Thursday until 13:40.  Air signs are favourable for flower plants.  These include all the plants, which are grown for their flowers, and where we want a long flowering time: garden flowers, medicinal and preparation flowers, bulbs and broccoli.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 15:16, the moon is in a water sign. Water signs are favourable for leaf plants.  These include all the plants whose leaves we harvest: cabbages, cauliflower, parsley, coriander, lettuce, spinach, bok choy, silver beet, asparagus and fennel.

For the rest of Saturday, Sunday and Monday until 18:19, the moon is in a fire sign.  Warmth or fire signs are favourable for fruit plants.  These include all plants whose seed fruit we harvest: beans, peas, grains, cucumbers, squashes, lentils, corn, capsicums, rice, soya, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, strawberries and fruit trees.

The moon then moves into an earth sign until Thursday at 00:16. Earth signs are favourable for root plants.  These included all plants whose roots we harvest: carrots, parsnips, radishes, beetroot, celeriac, swedes, potatoes, onions and garlic.

-Gardening Notes are compiled using Brian Keats Antipodean Astro Calendar; Maria Thun’s Gardening for Life; Biodynamic Agriculture Australia’s Biodynamic Resource Manual; Peter Cundall’s The Practical Australian Gardener; Louise Riotte’s Astrological Gardening; and the experiences and farm practices on Transition Farm

Links for more information

For more information about our Biodynamic Gardening Notes, visit our previous post About our Biodynamic Notes.

For more information about liquid brews for plant health, visit our Seasonal Notes page and click the tag “liquid brews” .

For more information about Biodynamics and to purchase biodynamic preparations visit Biodynamic Australia at http://www.biodynamics.net.au.

For more information about the Antipodean Astro Calendar, Biodynamic Planting and research and more visit Brian Keats’ website at http://astro-calendar.com/index.htm.

Biodynamic Gardening Notes 14 - 20 December

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The moon is ascending this week – The earth breathes out.  We see this as growth activity above the soil.  Growth forces and saps flow upwards more strongly and increase the plants vitality. This is the time to spray horn silica preparation 501, cultivate at the appropriate constellation before sowing, harvest on an air constellation plants for medicinal purposes, flowers and plants for preparation making and field crops such as silage and hay (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 51-53). The moon is also waning this week.  Each night it rises about an hour later and is getting smaller, approaching the new moon on Sunday 25th.

This is a great week to weed.  Maria Thun emphasized that working in your garden on the constellation in which the plant you are trying to encourage lies, emphasizes that plant’s qualities.  Based on her research, weed around your cabbages in a water sign, your broccoli in a flower sign, your carrots and root crops in an earth sign and your corn in a fire sign.

This is also a great week to harvest herbs - medicinal for tinctures, salves or drying; culinary for drying; or for using in biodynamic preparations.

For kitchen and medicinal herbs we recommend the following: harvest leaf and flower herbs on flower days; seeds and wild fruits on fruit days; and roots on root days.  This will ensure the best aroma and vitality.  For preserving one should choose a flower day.  - Maria Thun

Following the rhythm of the earth, it is best to harvest leaf, flower and seeds in the morning when the earth's forces are streaming upwards.  After 3pm, the earth's forces stream down to the roots and that is the best time of day to harvest roots.

With the moist spring that we have had, we have been spraying Casuarina tea, seaweed brew and/or witch’s brew weekly to fortnightly to give support  to the plants and help them to overcome any fungus, mildews and/or rusts which may be starting.  Pay careful attention to cucumbers, grapes, melons, pumpkins, tomatoes, and zucchini and summer squash plants.

Plants like tomatoes, zucchini, corn, capsicum and eggplant would benefit from a liquid feed.  Try making compost tea by mixing a few bucketfuls of compost into a drum of water.  Apply this during a leaf or root sign.

You can continue to plant or sow beetroot, cabbage, capsicum, cucumber, carrot, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, eggplant, leeks, lettuce, marrow, spring onion, parsnip, potatoes, pumpkin, radish, silverbeet, sweetcorn, tomatoes and winter squash.

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday until 04:55, the moon is in a water sign. Water signs are favourable for leaf plants.  These include all the plants whose leaves we harvest: cabbages, cauliflower, parsley, coriander, lettuce, spinach, bok choy, silver beet, asparagus and fennel.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 09:23, the moon is in a fire sign.  Warmth or fire signs are favourable for fruit plants.  These include all plants whose seed fruit we harvest: beans, peas, grains, cucumbers, squashes, lentils, corn, capsicums, rice, soya, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, strawberries and fruit trees.

The moon then moves into an earth sign until Tuesday at 12:04. Earth signs are favourable for root plants.  These included all plants whose roots we harvest: carrots, parsnips, radishes, beetroot, celeriac, swedes, potatoes, onions and garlic.

The moon is in an air sign for the rest of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until 13:40.  Air signs are favourable for flower plants.  These include all the plants, which are grown for their flowers, and where we want a long flowering time: garden flowers, medicinal and preparation flowers, bulbs and broccoli.

-Gardening Notes are compiled using Brian Keats Antipodean Astro Calendar; Maria Thun’s Gardening for Life; Biodynamic Agriculture Australia’s Biodynamic Resource Manual; Peter Cundall’s The Practical Australian Gardener; Louise Riotte’s Astrological Gardening; and the experiences and farm practices on Transition Farm

Links for more information

For more information about our Biodynamic Gardening Notes, visit our previous post About our Biodynamic Notes.

For more information about liquid brews for plant health, visit our Seasonal Notes page and click the tag “liquid brews” .

For more information about Biodynamics and to purchase biodynamic preparations visit Biodynamic Australia at http://www.biodynamics.net.au.

For more information about the Antipodean Astro Calendar, Biodynamic Planting and research and more visit Brian Keats’ website at http://astro-calendar.com/index.htm.

A favourite garden companion - the pobblebonk

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Frog

Companion planting and garden companions.  The two go hand in hand. Create the right environment, and the garden companions will come.  Our garden companions are our garden predators.  Lady birds, frogs, skinks, blue tongue lizards, tree dragons, preying mantis, dragon flies, spiders, birds, bats, predatory beetles, predatory wasps, tachinid flies, hoverflies, stick bugs and many more I have yet to meet and/or identify.  Building an ecosystem will encourage the garden predators to come, keeping the garden "pests" in balance much better then any "intervention" us humans may devise.  As Linda Woodrow says, "you do not have the eyesight, dexterity, or speed to hunt insects."

Frogs are wonderful garden companions.  Once we installed the pond, we just waited and the pobblebonks or eastern banjo frogs found us. Our ponds range from bathtubs to terracotta pots with their bottom holes filled in, dug into the ground.  Both are surrounded by some rocks and overhanging plants for shelter and some logs half in the pond and half out acting as bridges.  Inside the ponds we grow a range of water plants.  Watercress, water chestnut, and Vietnamese mint not only provide coverage of the water surface, they are also edible plants.  Water lilies and "fairy weed" help to establish the pond ecosystem providing shade and shelter within the water.

Around the edge of the pond we have planted a few reeds and rushes and some other natives that like the moist environment and also provide shelter for not only the frogs but also their prey, slugs.  Maybe it seems strange to encourage garden "pests" like slugs.  But the best way to encourage the garden predators is to ensure there is a healthy food supply for them.  They will find the ones provided and then some!

Since the frogs found us, we have delighted in the various frog calls and tadpoles that are as small as a pinhead to ones with bodies the size of 20-cent pieces.  Finding the frogs is an endless source of garden amusement for both adults and children.  Usually they are found by chance.  But the wonder of looking for where the call comes is lots of fun.It may sound like a leap of faith...provide an environment to encourage slugs and slaters for example, and their predators will come.  Our experience with doing just that has proven that there will be enough for everyone in the healthy ecosystem.  And our input of time and effort in eliminating the "pests" as well as the various "organic" and not sprays and poisons we may employ to try and help us "battle" the pests, will become nothing more than the time we spend observing nature's balance be tipped from one side to the other.

Adding water to the home garden is as simple as sinking a pot large enough to hold a few water plants and surrounding the edge with a variety of plants, rocks and logs. Or as involved as making a lined pond with multi levels capable of supporting fish, frogs and a variety of insect larvae.  Ensuring that there is a healthy balance of underwater oxygenators (available from nurseries or pet stores), surface cover to shade the water from the sun which encourages rampant algae growth, and higher plants inside the pond and/or around the edge that provide shelter, will allow a balanced ecosystem to grow.

Our pond deos not have a pump or filter and yet it is still crystal clear.

In Peru, frogs are a symbol of fertility.  And here, too, the frogs know before us humans when the soil is beginning to warm.  Make the right environment and enjoy the excitement when you hear the first frog call in the late winter...foretelling the end of the cold season and the coming of spring.

 

Biodynamic Gardening Notes 7 - 13 December

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The moon continues descending until Sunday 11th – The earth is breathing in and drawing growth forces back down below the soil surface.  The lower parts of the plants, especially the roots, are activated.  Activities that take advantage of the descending moon include making and spreading compost, transplanting seedlings and trees, taking and planting cuttings, and cultivating soil. On Sunday, the moon begins its ascension – The earth breathes out.  We see this as growth activity above the soil.  Growth forces and saps flow upwards more strongly and increase the plants vitality. This is the time to spray horn silica preparation 501, cultivate at the appropriate constellation before sowing, harvest on an air constellation plants for medicinal purposes, flowers and plants for preparation making and field crops such as silage and hay (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 51-53).

Saturday night is also the full moon and a chance to witness a full lunar eclipse if you live in Australia, New Zealand and parts of Asia.  In Melbourne, the partial eclipse will begin at 23:46 with the moon turning red by 01:32.

A Moon node will occur on Saturday at 17:02.  Moon nodes occur where the moon’s path crosses the path of the Sun.  The influence of the node lasts for approximately 2 hours on either side of the node.  The effect is similar to that of an eclipse of the Sun by the Moon and it is best to avoid any agricultural or horticultural work for this brief period (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 53).

With the moist spring that we have had, we have been spraying Casuarina tea, seaweed brew and/or witch’s brew weekly to fortnightly to give support  to the plants and help them to overcome any fungus, mildews and/or rusts which may be starting.  Pay careful attention to cucumbers, grapes, melons, pumpkins, tomatoes, and zucchini and summer squash plants.  Full moon ia also a stress time for plants because it brings a watery influence to the earth.  Spray with Casuarina tea before and after the Full Moon.

We also find that keeping up the plants health with seaweed brew and biodynamic preparation 501 is the best way to help a plant grow through the damage a pest may do.

The best time to apply liquid manures is just before the Full Moon in the afternoon.  Saturday is an earth sign as well.  The energy of the plant will be in the roots which is a perfect time to feed the whole plant.

Maria Thun emphasized that planting and/or cultivating (weeding) on the constellation in which the plant you are trying to encourage lies, emphasizes that plant’s qualities.  Based on her research, weed around your cabbages in a water sign, around your broccoli in a flower sign, around your carrots and root crops in an earth sign and around your corn in a fire sign.

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday until 02:48, the moon is in a fire sign.  Warmth or fire signs are favourable for fruit plants.  These include all plants whose seed fruit we harvest: beans, peas, grains, cucumbers, squashes, lentils, corn, capsicums, rice, soya, tomatoes, zucchini, strawberries and fruit trees. You can take advantage of the descending moon on these days and summer prune your fruit trees.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 13:38, it is in an earth sign. Earth signs are favourable for root plants.  These included all plants whose roots we harvest: carrots, parsnips, radishes, beetroot, celeriac, swedes, potatoes, onions and garlic.

The moon is in an air sign on Sunday afternoon, Monday and Tuesday until 22:23. Air signs are favourable for flower plants.  These include all the plants, which are grown for their flowers, and where we want a long flowering time: garden flowers, medicinal and preparation flowers, bulbs and broccoli. With the ascending moon, these are good days to harvest flowers for preparations or medicinal purposes.

-Gardening Notes are compiled using Brian Keats Antipodean Astro Calendar; Maria Thun’s Gardening for Life; Biodynamic Agriculture Australia’s Biodynamic Resource Manual; Peter Prctor’s Grasping the Nettle, Peter Cundall’s The Practical Australian Gardener; Louise Riotte’s Astrological Gardening; and the experiences and farm practices on Transition Farm

Links for more information

For more information about our Biodynamic Gardening Notes, visit our previous post About our Biodynamic Notes.

For more information about liquid brews for plant health, visit our Seasonal Notes page and click the tag “liquid brews” .

For more information about Biodynamics and to purchase biodynamic preparations visit Biodynamic Australia at http://www.biodynamics.net.au.

For more information about the Antipodean Astro Calendar, Biodynamic Planting and research and more visit Brian Keats’ website at http://astro-calendar.com/index.htm.

Biodynamic Gardening Notes 30 November - 6 December

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The moon continues descending – The earth is breathing in and drawing growth forces back down below the soil surface.  The lower parts of the plants, especially the roots, are activated.  Activities that take advantage of the descending moon include making and spreading compost, transplanting seedlings and trees, taking and planting cuttings, and cultivating soil. On Tuesday the 6th, the Moon and Saturn are in opposition to each other.  The Moon and Saturn in opposition cycle occurs every 27.5 days.  “The Moon forces bring in the calcium processes which are connected to propagation and growth.  The Saturn forces bring in the silica processes which connect form and structure.  The balancing effect of these two influences streaming into the earth produces very strong plants from seed sown at this time.  Tests have shown the 48 hours leading up to this event is optimal time that overrides even the ascending, descending and moon in constellations for best planting time” (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 54).

"Spraying 501 when the moon and Saturn are in opposition has been found to be very effective in bringing healing and strengthening qualities.  In many cases, this has been found to strengthen the plants against specific fungus attack (Proctor, 50)"

Tuesday the 6th at 11:14 is also the Apogee of the moon – The moon is at its furthest from the earth.  During Apogee there is always multiplicity of form, and it appears a good time to plant potatoes as these multiply.  Apogee times bring a stress period and seed sowing should be avoided 12 hours on either side of these times (except potatoes) (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 53).

With the past days of wet, moist weather, we are taking every advantages of breaks to spray Casaurina tea, seaweed brew and witch’s brew to give support  to the plants and help them to overcome any fungus, mildews and/or rusts which may be starting.  Pay careful attention to cucumbers, grapes,  melons, pumpkins tomatoes, and zucchini and summer squash plants.

You can seed successive plantings of arugula (rocket), beans,  beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, corn, cucumbers, lettuce and summer greens spinach, spring onions and zucchini.

Maria Thun emphasized that seeding, transplanting, and/or pruning on the constellation in which the plant you are trying to encourage lies, emphasizes that plant’s qualities.  Based on her research, seed and/or transplant your cabbages in a water sign, seed and/or transplant your broccoli in a flower sign, seed your carrots and root crops in an earth sign and seed your corn in a fire sign.

The moon is in an earth sign on Wednesday and Thursday until 15:02. Earth signs are favourable for root plants.  These included all plants whose roots we harvest: carrots, parsnips, radishes, beetroot, celeriac, swedes, potatoes, onions and garlic.

It then moves into an air sign until Sunday at 01:39.  Air signs are favourable for flower plants.  These include all the plants, which are grown for their flowers, and where we want a long flowering time: garden flowers, medicinal and preparation flowers, bulbs and broccoli.

On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday until 14:15, the moon is in a water sign. Water signs are favourable for leaf plants.  These include all the plants whose leaves we harvest: cabbages, cauliflower, parsley, coriander, lettuce, spinach, bok choy, silver beet, asparagus and fennel.

Tuesday afternoon until early morning Friday, the moon is in a fire sign.  Warmth or fire signs are favourable for fruit plants.  These include all plants whose seed fruit we harvest: beans, peas, grains, cucumbers, squashes, lentils, corn, capsicums, rice, soya, tomatoes, zucchini, strawberries and fruit trees.

 

-Gardening Notes are compiled using Brian Keats Antipodean Astro Calendar; Maria Thun’s Gardening for Life; Biodynamic Agriculture Australia’s Biodynamic Resource Manual; Peter Prctor's Grasping the Nettle, Peter Cundall’s The Practical Australian Gardener; Louise Riotte’s Astrological Gardening; and the experiences and farm practices on Transition Farm

Links for more information

For more information about our Biodynamic Gardening Notes, visit our previous post About our Biodynamic Notes.

For more information about liquid brews for plant health, visit our Seasonal Notes page and click the tag “liquid brews” .

For more information about Biodynamics and to purchase biodynamic preparations visit Biodynamic Australia at http://www.biodynamics.net.au.

For more information about the Antipodean Astro Calendar, Biodynamic Planting and research and more visit Brian Keats’ website at http://astro-calendar.com/index.htm.

Biodynamic Gardening Notes 23 - 30 November

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This week seems a bit jumpy with lots of events bringing their own energy.  I try to remember to take all of this information as another way to view the particular nuances of each day.  I try to not overly intellectualize it or get lost in the jargon.  With that said, here is some insight into our plans for the week. With the perigee of the moon on Wednesday, the 23rd, the moon is at its closest to the earth.  Perigee brings greater moisture and a tendency towards fungal growth. We will harvest the herbs for a “witch’s brew” on Wednesday afternoon when the ascending moon is in an air sign and spray that out on Friday.

With the past days of wet, moist weather, we are taking every advantages of breaks to spray Causurina tea, seaweed brew and witch's brew to give support  to the plants and help them to overcome any fungus, mildews and/or rusts which may be starting.

With the new moon on Friday 25th at 16:10, the moon is again waxing.  Indian agriculture recognized the day before New Moon as No Moon day, a day on which no agricultural work was done.

A Moon node will occur on Saturday at 11:02.  Moon nodes occur where the moon's path crosses the path of the Sun.  The influence of the node lasts for approximately 2 hours on either side of the node.  The effect is similar to that of an eclipse of the Sun by the Moon and it is best to avoid any agricultural or horticultural work for this brief period (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 53).

The moon is ascending this week until Saturday evening – The earth breathes out.  We see this as growth activity above the soil.  Growth forces and saps flow upwards more strongly and increase the plants vitality. This is the time to spray horn silica preparation 501, cultivate at the appropriate constellation before sowing, harvest on an air constellation plants for medicinal purposes, flowers and plants for preparation making and field crops such as silage and hay (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 51-53).

The moon begins descending on Saturday evening – The earth is breathing in and drawing growth forces back down below the soil surface.  The lower parts of the plants, especially the roots, are activated.  Activities that take advantage of the descending moon include making and spreading compost, transplanting seedlings and trees, taking and planting cuttings, and cultivating soil.

After Friday, seed those things that produce above the ground.  You can seed successive plantings of beans,  broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, corn, cucumbers, lettuce and summer greens and zucchini.  We will use the last few days of the ascending moon to finish weeding and harvest flowers for making preparations.  We then shift our focus to more seeding,  transplanting seedlings and summer fruit tree pruning.

Maria Thun emphasized that seeding, transplanting, and/or pruning on the constellation in which the plant you are trying to encourage lies, emphasizes that plant’s qualities.  Based on her research, seed and/or transplant your cabbages in a water sign, seed and/or transplant your broccoli in a flower sign, seed your carrots and root crops in an earth sign and seed your corn in a fire sign.

The moon is in an air sign on Wednesday until Friday at 03:47.  Air signs are favourable for flower plants.  These include all the plants, which are grown for their flowers, and where we want a long flowering time: garden flowers, medicinal and preparation flowers, bulbs and broccoli.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 04:35, the moon is in a water sign. Water signs are favourable for leaf plants.  These include all the plants whose leaves we harvest: cabbages, cauliflower, parsley, coriander, lettuce, spinach, bok choy, silver beet, asparagus and fennel.

On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday until 07:58, it moves into a fire sign.  Warmth or fire signs are favourable for fruit plants.  These include all plants whose seed fruit we harvest: beans, peas, grains, cucumbers, squashes, lentils, corn, capsicums, rice, soya, tomatoes, zucchini, strawberries and fruit trees.

The moon then moves into an earth sign until Thursday at 15:02. Earth signs are favourable for root plants.  These included all plants whose roots we harvest: carrots, parsnips, radishes, beetroot, celeriac, swedes, potatoes, onions and garlic.

-Gardening Notes are compiled using Brian Keats Antipodean Astro Calendar; Maria Thun’s Gardening for Life; Biodynamic Agriculture Australia’s Biodynamic Resource Manual; Peter Cundall’s The Practical Australian Gardener; Louise Riotte’s Astrological Gardening; and the experiences and farm practices on Transition Farm

Links for more information

For more information about our Biodynamic Gardening Notes, visit our previous post About our Biodynamic Notes.

For more information about liquid brews for plant health, visit our Seasonal Notes page and click the tag “liquid brews” .

For more information about Biodynamics and to purchase biodynamic preparations visit Biodynamic Australia at http://www.biodynamics.net.au.

For more information about the Antipodean Astro Calendar, Biodynamic Planting and research and more visit Brian Keats’ website at http://astro-calendar.com/index.htm.

Biodynamic Gardening Notes 16 - 22 November

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The moon is ascending this week - The earth breathes out.  We see this as growth activity above the soil.  Growth forces and saps flow upwards more strongly and increase the plants vitality. This is the time to spray horn silica preparation 501, cultivate at the appropriate constellation before sowing, harvest on an air constellation plants for medicinal purposes, flowers and plants for preparation making and field crops such as silage and hay (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 51-53). The moon is also moving closer to the earth, approaching its perigee on Wednesday 23rd.  Plan for an increase in moisture and the possible start of mildews and fungal infestations around this time.  You can harvest the herbs for a "witch's brew" on Wednesday 23rd when the ascending moon is in an air sign.  Although this would not be a good day for storing these herbs, we will use this day to soak them to use in 48 hours.

The moon is waning this week, with the new moon on Friday 25th.  The fourth quarter of the moon is favourable for cultivation, pulling weeds and destroying pests. Especially when the moon is in a fire sign (Riotte, 14).  Maria Thun emphasized that culivating on the constellation in which the plant you are trying to encourage lies, emphasizes that plant’s qualities.  Based on her research, weed around your cabbages in a water sign, around your broccoli in a flower sign, around your carrots and root crops in an earth sign and around your corn in a fire sign.

Keep a good watch on all of the plants you have put in this spring as pests may already have found them.  We find that keeping up the plants health with seaweed brew and biodynamic preparation 501 is the best way to help a plant grow through the damage a pest may do.

The moon is in an air sign on Wednesday until16:48. Air signs are favourable for flower plants.  These include all the plants, which are grown for their flowers, and where we want a long flowering time: garden flowers, medicinal and preparation flowers, bulbs and broccoli.

On Wednesday evening, Thursday and Friday until 23:20, the moon is in a water sign. Water signs are favourable for leaf plants.  These include all the plants whose leaves we harvest: cabbages, cauliflower, parsley, coriander, lettuce, spinach, bok choy, silver beet, asparagus and fennel.

On Saturday, Sunday and Monday until 02:48, it moves into a fire sign.  Warmth or fire signs are favourable for fruit plants.  These include all plants whose seed fruit we harvest: beans, peas, grains, cucumbers, squashes, lentils, corn, capsicums, rice, soya, tomatoes, zucchini, strawberries and fruit trees.

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until 03:48, it is in an earth sign. Earth signs are favourable for root plants.  These included all plants whose roots we harvest: carrots, parsnips, radishes, beetroot, celeriac, swedes, potatoes, onions and garlic.

-Gardening Notes are compiled using Brian Keats Antipodean Astro Calendar; Maria Thun’s Gardening for Life; Biodynamic Agriculture Australia’s Biodynamic Resource Manual; Peter Cundall’s The Practical Australian Gardener; Louise Riotte’s Astrological Gardening; and the experiences and farm practices on Transition Farm

Links for more information

For more information about our Biodynamic Gardening Notes, visit our previous post About our Biodynamic Notes.

For more information about liquid brews for plant health, visit our Seasonal Notes page and click the tag “liquid brews” .

For more information about Biodynamics and to purchase biodynamic preparations visit Biodynamic Australia at http://www.biodynamics.net.au.

For more information about the Antipodean Astro Calendar, Biodynamic Planting and research and more visit Brian Keats’ website at http://astro-calendar.com/index.htm.