About Biodynamic Principles

BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE

Biodynamic growers believe that the farm should be managed as a single organism, self-sufficient in compost, manure and animal feed, and as closely integrated with the environment and the wider community as possible.

Ideally a biodynamic farm would have sufficient land to sustain a suitable number of cows (WITH HORNS) grazing the land to produce manure (to be applied as fertilizer and also to make the Horn Manure preparation) as well as other livestock. Some of the land would be kept as woodland and other parts would be used to grow vegetables fruit and whatever is necessary to feed the animals and people living on the farm.

Nowadays biodynamic farmers have to manage the farm in a way that the farm can produce a surplus for selling to the local community and be financially sustainable as well. No chemical fertilizers and pesticides, herbicides or insecticides are used. Much attention is paid to the LIVING soil which is enhanced by special preparations which are either applied to the land directly or to the compost. These preparations are very specific to Biodynamic growing and that is where biodynamics differs from organic or permaculture practices.

Biodynamic farming/gardening strives to bring life and vitality to the soil plants and animals which grow and feed on it . This is done by applying the spray and compost preparations as well connecting the soil with the cosmos and respecting or acknowledging the rhythms and interactions of the earth with the moon, sun and planets. The rhythmic aspects of biodynamics are driven by a planting and sowing calendar (Maria THun) or Moon Gardening Calendar, such as the one available on this website.

Maria Thun, a German horticulturalist, extensively tested these methods over a number of years, and has documented the findings. The Biodynamic Sowing and Planting calendar is a very detailed annual publication, intended for the biodynamic professional farmer.

BIODYNAMIC GARDENING

As we mentioned earlier, keeping the farm in balance is the essence of biodynamics. For you as a gardener or allotment holder, these principles are still valid. We may not be able to make our own preparations or keep farm animals, but we can keep our plots in balance with nature and the cosmos by applying lunar gardening principles and by using biodynamic preparations. So click here for some of the do’s and don’ts of biodynamic gardening:

BIODYNAMIC SEEDS

OUR SEEDS CARRY THE HOPE AND GENETIC CODING FOR A BIODIVERSE FUTURE
Biodynamic seeds are grown in accordance with Biodynamic Gardening Principles: Biodynamic seeds must be from

~ biodynamic crops or plants
~ grown on soil which has been biodynamically cared for
~ open pollinated so you can harvest your own seeds
~ they will keep the biodiversity of our seed heritige alive
~ strict guidelines about germination rates
~ the seeds are not treated with herbicides, insecticides or pesticides
~ the seeds haven’t undergone complexe treatment in labaroties
~ you support camphill communities and grower co-ops instead of Monsanto,Bayer

More about our Biodynamic Seeds

DEMETER

Biodynamic produce is regulated by the Biodynamic Agricultural Association (BDAA), who administer the Demeter trademark. It is linked to a worldwide network of independent certifying organisations.

Demeter was the ancient Greek godess of fertility and abundance.