Biodynamic gardening

Some organic and biodynamic gardeners use the common weed horsetail (Equisetum arven.se) as a botanical fungicide to prevent and control plant diseases. 

How to Use You can buy dried horsetail from organic and biodynamic garden suppliers. In a glass or stainless steel pot, mix 14 cup of dried leaves in 1 gallon of unchlorinated water. (If you have chlorinated tap water, either collect rainwater or let the tap water sit uncovered for 2 days so the chlorine will volatilize.) Bring to a boil, then let simmer for at least 16 hour. Cool and strain through cheesecloth. This mixture will keep for 1 month, stored in a olass container. Be sure to label it ... 

To benefit from these lunar influences of the moon, people who practice gardening by the moon draw up an annual calendar and tend their plants accordingly. Biodynamic gardeners and farmers, who follow the teachings of Austrian philosopher Rudolph Steiner, also use lunar calendars, but theirs are more complex, as they believe that plants are affected by wider planetary rhythms, and that crops are linked to one of the four traditional elements— earth, water, air, and fire—depending on whether they are root, leaf, flower, or seed crops. Each crop must be planted when the moon is in the sign of the zodiac associated with that element. 

Biodynamic gardening methods involve keeping the soil full of vitality by adding compost and manure and special therapeutic preparations made from plant, mineral, and animal material. Crops grown this way, it is claimed, are more vigorous and taste better. 

Koepf, H.H. 1993. Research in Biodynamic Agriculture, Methods and Results. Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association, Kimberton. 

The Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association in New Zealand Inc was formed in 193 7 and incorporated in 1945 to fiirther the biodynamic method of agriculture, horticulture and forestry as elucidated by Rudolf Steiner. It is responsible for the Demeter logo in New Zealand and, while they have a membership of over 800, their licensees number only 37. Many of their members are small producers dedicated to the concept of healthy food for the local community. There is no incentive or requirement at this stage to get certified. A member of the association executive sits on the board of Bio-Gro and the OPEG executive, showing a healthy level of co-operation. Soil and Health, the founder of Bio-Gro, also maintain a seat on Bio-Gro. 

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