Biodynamic Gardening
Holistic farming in harmony with cosmic rhythms and Earth's life forces
Living Soil
View the farm as a living organism. Build soil fertility through composting, cover crops, and biodynamic preparations. The soil is alive with beneficial microorganisms that create health.
Cosmic Rhythms
Work with lunar and planetary cycles. Plant, cultivate, and harvest according to the biodynamic calendar for enhanced vitality and keeping quality of produce.
Closed System
Create a self-sustaining farm organism. Integrate animals, crops, and composting to minimize external inputs and maximize on-farm fertility cycles.
Biodynamic Preparations
Essential preparations for enhancing soil and plant vitality
500
Horn Manure
Cow manure in horn
Spray on soil before planting. Enhances root growth and humus formation. Stir for 1 hour creating vortex.
501
Horn Silica
Crushed quartz in horn
Spray on leaves early morning. Enhances light metabolism and ripening. Use sparingly.
502
Yarrow
Yarrow flowers in stag bladder
Add to compost. Helps plants attract trace elements. Enhances potassium processes.
503
Chamomile
Chamomile flowers in intestine
Add to compost. Stabilizes nitrogen and calcium. Promotes healthy growth.
504
Stinging Nettle
Nettle buried in soil
Add to compost. Enlivens soil and stimulates iron processes. Promotes chlorophyll.
505
Oak Bark
Oak bark in skull
Add to compost. Provides calcium forces and helps prevent plant diseases.
506
Dandelion
Dandelion in mesentery
Add to compost. Sensitizes plants to cosmic influences. Enhances silica.
507
Valerian
Valerian flower juice
Spray on compost. Stimulates phosphorus activity. Helps with warmth processes.
508
Horsetail
Equisetum tea
Spray on plants. Prevents fungal diseases. Apply as prevention in humid conditions.
Biodynamic Rhythms
Root Days (Earth Element)
Moon in earth signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
🥕 Best Activities
Plant and harvest root vegetables. Work with compost. Apply preparation 500. Transplant trees.
⏰ Timing
Descending moon best for planting. Ascending moon for harvesting. Avoid noon for root work.
🌱 Favorable Crops
Carrots, potatoes, onions, garlic, beetroot, radish, turnips, parsnips.
Root Day Planting Guide
🔍
| Plant | Type | Moon Phase | Best Season | Biodynamic Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beetroot | Root | Descending | Autumn/Spring | Apply 500 before planting, harvest before full moon |
| Carrots | Root | Descending | All year | Sow 2 days before full moon for storage quality |
| Garlic | Root | Descending | Autumn | Plant on root day before winter solstice |
| Ginger | Root | Descending | Spring | Needs warmth, plant after last frost |
| Onions | Root | Descending | Autumn/Winter | Plant sets on descending moon for better storage |
| Parsnips | Root | Descending | Late Summer | Frost improves sweetness, long season crop |
| Potatoes | Root | Descending | Spring | Plant after horn manure application |
| Radish | Root | Descending | All year | Quick crop, succession plant every 2 weeks |
| Sweet Potato | Root | Descending | Spring | Needs warm soil, apply compost prep |
| Turnips | Root | Descending | Autumn/Winter | Cool season crop, avoid fruit days |
Leaf Days (Water Element)
Moon in water signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
🥬 Best Activities
Plant and tend leafy vegetables. Water plants. Avoid harvesting for storage. Good for germination.
💧 Watering
Most effective watering days. Plants absorb moisture better. Avoid overwatering in Pisces.
🌿 Favorable Crops
Lettuce, spinach, cabbage, kale, silverbeet, herbs for leaves, Asian greens.
Leaf Day Planting Guide
🔍
| Plant | Type | Moon Phase | Best Season | Biodynamic Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabbage | Leaf | Ascending | Autumn/Winter | Apply 501 for compact heads |
| Kale | Leaf | Any | Autumn/Winter | Frost improves flavor, spray horsetail |
| Lettuce | Leaf | Ascending | All year | Morning harvest on leaf days for crispness |
| Parsley | Herb | Ascending | All year | Slow germination, pre-soak seeds |
| Rocket | Leaf | Ascending | All year | Quick crop, succession plant |
| Silverbeet | Leaf | Any | All year | Cut outer leaves on ascending moon |
| Spinach | Leaf | Ascending | Autumn/Winter | Cool season crop, avoid hot weather |
| Asian Greens | Leaf | Ascending | Autumn/Spring | Fast growing, harvest young |
| Celery | Leaf | Ascending | Autumn/Winter | Needs consistent moisture |
| Coriander | Herb | Ascending | Autumn/Spring | Bolts in heat, harvest before flower days |
Flower Days (Light/Air Element)
Moon in air signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
🌸 Best Activities
Plant and tend flowers. Harvest for highest fragrance. Work with flower preparations.
🐝 Pollination
Enhanced pollinator activity. Good for seed collection. Avoid heavy watering.
🌼 Favorable Plants
All flowers, broccoli, cauliflower, artichokes, flowering herbs.
Flower Day Planting Guide
🔍
| Plant | Type | Moon Phase | Best Season | Biodynamic Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broccoli | Flower | Descending | Autumn/Winter | Harvest before flowers open |
| Calendula | Flower | Ascending | All year | Medicinal, companion plant |
| Cauliflower | Flower | Descending | Autumn/Winter | Tie leaves over heads to blanch |
| Chamomile | Flower | Ascending | Spring | Harvest flowers for prep 503 |
| Lavender | Flower | Ascending | Spring | Prune after flowering |
| Marigolds | Flower | Ascending | Spring/Summer | Companion plant, pest deterrent |
| Nasturtiums | Flower | Ascending | Spring/Summer | Trap crop for aphids |
| Sunflowers | Flower | Ascending | Spring | Face east, bird attractant |
| Yarrow | Flower | Ascending | Spring | Harvest for prep 502 |
| Zinnias | Flower | Ascending | Spring/Summer | Cut flowers, butterfly attractant |
Fruit Days (Warmth/Fire Element)
Moon in fire signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
🍅 Best Activities
Plant and harvest fruits and seeds. Best storage quality. Seed saving optimal.
🌞 Warmth Work
Good for drying herbs and preserving. Enhanced ripening. Avoid heavy watering.
🌶️ Favorable Crops
Tomatoes, peppers, beans, peas, corn, squash, all fruits, grains.
Fruit Day Planting Guide
🔍
| Plant | Type | Moon Phase | Best Season | Biodynamic Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beans | Fruit | Ascending | Spring/Summer | Inoculate with rhizobia |
| Capsicum | Fruit | Descending | Spring | Apply 501 for fruit set |
| Chilli | Fruit | Descending | Spring | Stress increases heat |
| Corn | Fruit | Ascending | Spring/Summer | Plant in blocks for pollination |
| Cucumber | Fruit | Ascending | Spring/Summer | Harvest regularly for more fruit |
| Eggplant | Fruit | Descending | Spring | Needs warmth, mulch well |
| Peas | Fruit | Ascending | Autumn/Winter | Fix nitrogen, good rotation crop |
| Pumpkin | Fruit | Descending | Spring | Apply compost preps to soil |
| Strawberries | Fruit | Descending | Autumn | Mulch with straw |
| Tomatoes | Fruit | Descending | Spring | Harvest on fruit days for flavor |
| Watermelon | Fruit | Descending | Spring | Needs heat and space |
| Zucchini | Fruit | Ascending | Spring/Summer | Harvest small for best quality |
Biodynamic Composting
Creating living compost with preparations
1
Build the Pile
Layer carbon and nitrogen materials. Include animal manures, plant material, and soil. Ideal size is 1.5m cube for proper heating.
2
Insert Preparations
Make 5 holes in pile. Add preps 502-506 (one per hole). Spray prep 507 over entire pile. Cover with straw or old carpet.
3
Monitor & Turn
Turn after 6 weeks, then monthly. Ready in 3-6 months. Should smell like forest floor when complete. Apply in spring and autumn.
Planetary Influences
Understanding cosmic forces in the garden
☽
Moon
Water & growth forces. 28-day cycle affects moisture.
☿
Mercury
Movement & communication. Affects plant interactions.
♀
Venus
Harmony & fertility. Enhances flower formation.
♂
Mars
Iron forces & vigor. Strengthens plant defense.
♃
Jupiter
Expansion & fruit. Enhances seed formation.
♄
Saturn
Form & structure. Root development & boundaries.