A Biodynamic Gardening Equal
Through the years countless studies have shown the degradation of natural resources across the globe. It is very alarming to note that most of the land and water sustenance are facing a significant percent of depletion. This is why it is high time to equip yourself with knowledge of the various measures in order to handle Mother Nature accordingly. Let’s take a closer look at one the methods in agriculture that provided for the pattern of development of biodynamic gardening.
Biodynamic techniques are part of general methods known as organic farming wherein farms are considered as individual organisms that requires a holistic approach of development. There should be maintained correlations between the farm’s constituents such as the plants, soil, and animals and nutrients should be well circulated in adequate forms. Now let’s go beyond biodynamic principles and flip on the pages of the organic farming manual.
Basically farming lies within the lines of the term organic when it entirely relies on methods and concepts like mechanical cultivation, compost, green manure, crop rotation, and biological pest control. In this way of farming there is exclusion or strict limitation of farm exposure to various sorts of synthetic plant growth regulators, artificially developed pesticides and fertilizers, commercial additives of livestock feedings, and more importantly genetically enhanced organisms. This form of farm care has been widely recognized all over the world since and through the past decades statistics show an increase in the organic products made available for market consumption.
Let’s tread the path to memory lane and examine the development of this organic farming. The organically-oriented people began to voice out their grievances during the early years of 1930 and 1940. This is the period wherein synthetic fertilizers were starting to charge towards the limelight.
Artificial versions of fertilizers came into the farming scene during the 18th century. The initial production came out having superphosphates followed by ammonia powered fertilizers which were abundantly processed using the ideas of Haber-Bosch from World War I. These fertilizers were quite powerful, cheap, and accessible especially in bulk. The advances in chemical pesticide versions in the 1940s paved the way for the tag of pesticide era.
Luckily there were historical identities that fought off the shoot of synthetically manipulated fertilizers into stardom. Sir Albert Howard kicked things off and was named as the father of organic farming. His works inspired a certain J.I. Rodale to let the Americans know about organic farming. And in the UK it was Lady Eve Balfour that made organic methods common in various farmlands.
In reality it was a hard start for this people and the organic principle to gain acceptance. In terms of total agricultural output organic farming remained on the tail-end of the competition. Things began to take a huge turn when environmental aspects rallied their way into the situation. The agricultural circles and the market in general saw a flash of brilliance in terms of what organic farming can bring on the table.
Farmers made a shift because of the premium prices from consumers and government subsidies involved. The economic status of a country forged an alliance with organic farming methods like biodynamic farming and gardening. This has brought about a significant rise in the percentage of organic outputs specifically in developed European countries.
Biodynamic Gardening Covered
In life there are certain ingredients that can lead a person or principle into success. These are constant elements that when mixed with a proper system brings forth positive results wherein a variety of benefits can be reaped. A good example is how biodynamic gardening and farming view the soil as a self-contained organism that needs constant careful manipulation to produce crops that are both good in quantity and quality. Let’s take a look at one of the extensive methods used in this technique.
Cover crop is a common character in the biodynamic scene of agriculture. It can be technically defined as any annual, biennial, or perennial plant that is grown as a monoculture or a polyculture. Monoculture means a single crop type grown together while polyculture involves multiple crop types that are cultivated together. Either way the goal for establishing a cover crop is to improve and enhance any conditions pertaining to sustainable agriculture. Moreover, cover crops offer an essential way of managing soil fertility, moisture and quality as well as battling weeds, pests, and diseases that may inhibit ideal plant growth and crop production.
Cover crops are also fondly called as green manure. They are used in order to manipulate the levels of soil macro and micronutrients. One very good example can be seen in the country of Nigeria wherein a certain crop identified as velvet bean is commonly utilized in order to increase phosphorus soil contents upon placement of rock phosphate. In terms of looking into nutrient contents of the soil nitrogen management has gain a lot of research attention over the years. This is because nitrogen has been noted to be the most limiting form of nutrient involved in crop production.
The green manures of the biodynamic gardening and farming commonly belong to the family known as Fabaceae or the pea group. These are the usual leguminous variations. They are incorporated into the soil via the process of tillage before even reaching their age of maturity in order to ensure that there will be improved levels of soil quality and fertility. They are the typical cover crops because they can lay out ample amounts of nitrogen which can easily compete with chemical fertilizers available in the market.
An important trait that is unique to leguminous cover crops is their ability to communicate with rhizobial bacteria and forge a symbiotic relationship. This happens because these bacteria find homage within the root nodules of legume. These bacteria play an important role of converting biologically unavailable nitrogen gas to a version called the mineral nitrogen which is considered to be biologically available. Such occurrence is made possible via the process of biological nitrogen fixation.
Field experts believe that biological nitrogen fixation brought about by the presence of cover crops it the sole alternative for industrial nitrogen fixation so as to boost efforts of maintaining or even increasing food production levels in the future. The latter method of nitrogen fixation has faced considerable amounts of blows from critics because of its association with fossil fuel sources thus resulting into numerous environmental infractions. Some examples of these infractions include nitrogen fertilizer elimination into waterways leading to eutrophication and hypoxia of water areas.
Cover crops are not only important aspects of biodynamic gardening and farming. In general, they serve as means of treating the environment fairly.
A Merrier Biodynamic Gardening
It is always good to have a lot of company especially during trying times. It is also an effective practice to mix things up especially when one activity becomes too much of a routine and starts to offer boring and tiring moments. Simple food delicacies become a sumptuous festivity due to variances in color and texture. With this in mind, let’s take a glance of how biodynamic gardening and agriculture in general make s things brighter and more effective via crop rotation.
Crop rotation otherwise known as crop sequencing is the method that involves the cultivation of a series of crops that are part of different types within the same area or agricultural vicinity. This is done in sequential times or seasons to promote many benefits in crop production. One very good example is the prevention of pathogen and pest build up that is normally takes place when only a single crop type is used.
Crop rotation also brings forth a specific balance that is very vital in avoiding the increase in the deterioration and reduction of soil nutrients. The balance can be associated with the varying fertility demands of the various crops utilized. A conventional ingredient in the success of crop rotation is the assurance of optimum nitrogen levels through the constant deployment of green manure with cereal and other forms of crops. Soil structure is also strengthened because of the presence of deep-rooted and shallow rooted crops.
Crop rotation avoids a significant decrease in soil fertility by practicing alternate mechanisms in terms of planting. Practitioners of the method make it a point the a certain crop cultivation that leads to soil leaching of a specific nutrient is timely followed by another that does not have the same effect. One example is the practice of planting cotton after the rice season. In this manner farmers are benefited in two ways. There is no need to let the plants fallow and there is decreased demands for the usage of artificial fertilizers which ultimately results into continuous field production and economical stability.
As mentioned above, crop rotation offers a medium for cultural control. This means that there is adequate defense against pests and diseases that can wreak havoc in every sector of the soil as well as the plants situated on it. The principle behind this is that the use of constant variation in crop types helps in placing pest population levels to a low percentage.
Basically plants that are members of the same taxonomic family attract similar pathogens. The regular change in the planting location can also break down or limit the cycles of pest development. The root-knot nematode causes severe malfunction in plant systems that are prevalent in warm climates and sandy soils. It has a gradual build-up phase leading to high levels within the soil resulting into deterioration in plant productivity mainly because it has the ability to cut off vital plant circulation coming from the roots. Now by following the crop rotation concept, cultivating a crop that is not prone to nematodes during an initial season can aid in the reduction of nematode levels in the soil therefore the farmer is allowed to grow susceptible crops the following season.
Biodynamic gardening and farming is an in-depth approach towards positive agriculture. Just like its buddy crop rotation practitioners must constantly devote time and heart in order to end up in successful harvests.
The Biodynamic Gardening Fuel
The mind and body of every person works in tip-top condition because they are fed with foods that provide vital nutrients. Machines complete their long list of workloads and withstand the pressures of every single task because they are appropriately powered by any of the energy forms available. Just like in the two mentioned situations agricultural methods are made possible because of certain key elements that provide for win-win opportunities. Let’s take a look at the very fuel that makes the biodynamic gardening and farming machinery run to its full potential.
The presence of humus stains on the soil is very important in ensuring favorable crop production. First let’s find out what humus is. Basically, humus is a degraded organic material that can found in the soil which brings about the dark brown or black characteristic in some of its layers.
In the field of soil science, it is referred to as any organic matter that has reached a certain point of stability in which breakdown will never take place and in unchanged condition it will remain unscathed for a long period of time. In agricultural talk humus can be described as mature compost that is naturally occurring to be extracted in sources like forests to amend soil. Moreover, it is identified with topsoil horizon that is composed of organic materials.
Humus is usually tagged as the life-force of the soil. Now, this so-called life force can occur via a process known as humification which can take place via natural means with the soil itself or by compost production. The significance of stable humus contributes to the soil fertility both in terms of physicality and chemical components. But for some agricultural gurus its highlight is within its ability to suppress soil deterioration and plant diseases.
Humus works in various ways. In physical aspects, it contributes to the retention of soil moisture by adding up to its microporosity and encouraging the formation of patent soil structure. In chemical terms, it facilitates easy access and absorption of plant nutrients by incorporating oxygen into large organic molecular compartments that will generate active forms of negatively charged sites that can attract positively charged ions of nutrients. In biological facets, it allows adequate and appropriate feedings of soil organisms that eventually results into good reproductive results.
Humus is actually a complex substance having a nature that is not fully grasped within the agricultural circles. It can only be differentiated from organic matter as having a more uniform appearance of a dark, spongy, and jelly-like substance. It is amorphous in terms of structure meaning it does not possess a definite character and shape.
Humus can also be termed as humified organic matter as in recent versions of studies and documentations it has been considered to be an integral portion of soil organic matter. However the line between humus and organic matter can be drawn by employing the services of a microscope. The view of a humified organic matter without chemical manipulation within the magnifying capacities of a microscope can showcase minute but identifiable plant-like and animal-like microbial remains which have been mechanically altered.
Biodynamic gardening is just like its fuel. The humus, with its unique complexities enables each and every plant-loving individual to enjoy their craft and reap its rewards.
A Biodynamic Gardening Avenue
Man has been proven throughout the years of history to have unmatched character. He is able to withstand all sorts of trials and trying times in order to continue survival and propagation. This can be attributed to the ability of inculcating innovative changes into his surroundings so as to maximize the functionality of every resource available. Let’s take a look at how the agricultural people enhance the usefulness of the soil in biodynamic gardening and farming via the presence of compost materials.
Basically compost is the combination created from food materials and other organic components. This mixing process is made possible by aerobic mechanisms that occur within the confines of black soil. The composting process has been evident in many places across the globe. Its simplicity has attracted a lot of individuals to utilize it within their household. Common farmers and industrial folks have also taken a liking to the benefits of composting.
Composted soil is considered as enriched soil and has been used as a medium in various fields and vicinities. It has been a common character that has been embraced by landscapes and gardens as well as horticulture and agriculture. It has been noted to have beneficial contributions such as fertilizer, natural pesticide, and soil conditioner. It is also found useful for land and stream reclamation, landfill cover, erosion control, and wetland construction.
There has been thorough recommendation of compost being a significant soil additive. This is because it has the capacity to bring humus and nutrients in the soil into an active state. Moreover, it facilitates the provision of an avenue for the growth of porous and absorbent materials that can support moisture and soluble mineral resulting into adequate plant nutrition. It can be mixed with the likes of sand, vermiculite, grit, soil, clay granules, perlite, or bark chips to come with loam.
Composting has gone passed the basic lines of agriculture into magnitudes that can prove to be helpful for global conditions. In recent times, there have been issues regarding the increase of the space being occupied by landfills thereby bringing recycling alternatives on the table. Composting has been tapped on as a way to boost recycling campaigns since it involves conversion of decomposable organic matter into useful and more stable entities.
New heights of composting have been mandate by law particularly in Western countries. It has reached an industrial level and exists in forms such as aerated static pile composting, anaerobic digestion, in-vessel composting. Actually there have been formulated guidelines that date as early as the 80s in Germany, Holland, and Switzerland. The United States and the United Kingdom are continually strengthening their policies in order to support composting.
In order to cope with new trends in the field there have construction of modern concepts of composting in order to enhance the method itself and correct the perceived problems associated with the old one. Rapid composting is now being advocated wherein the process can take place within two to three weeks. Other changes outlined focused on the monitoring of the moisture level and details in the compost content specifically bringing the carbon to nitrogen ratio of thirty to one.
Biodynamic gardening and farming offers a wide array of methods and principles that is why a certain practitioner must be keen in knowing the smallest of details such as proper and effective composting schemes.
The Fight In Biodynamic Gardening
Life is like a jungle wherein all sorts and sizes of creatures constantly struggle and enter into a fight so as to obtain basic needs and leisurely pleasures. No matter what people say it’s always about getting the edge and getting on top of the game. A longstanding part of existence is pushing all cylinders of efforts in order to achieve whatever degree of happiness is aspired. With this in mind let’s take a glimpse of how biodynamic gardening and farming strives to keep crops free from all sorts of destructive elements.
Biodynamic principles have a concept of establishing a well-balanced and healthy field for organisms in order to avoid environmental mishaps from occurring. One very common problem that these techniques continue to battle is the development of pest population. This is where pest control comes into the picture.
In general pest control is referred to as the management and regulation of certain entities that are tagged as pests for the reason that they can be perceived as a threat that can hinder the normal functioning of any creature’s system as well as this creature’s interaction with the ecosystem. As far as agriculture is concerned, ever since plant cultivation started to gain popularity in communities the need to ensure freedom of crops from pests has been a priority. It became a must for people to protect plants from competing species as well as maintain standards of crop cultivation so that food demands can always be met.
Throughout history there have been countless efforts employed by man in order to fend off coercive pests from destroying the normal flow of crop production. A very common method used is the elimination of breeding grounds. This entails proper waste management and drainage of still water.
Garbage provides an avenue that can support unwanted organisms especially in aspects of sustenance and reservoir. Areas with unmanaged still waters are very prone for pestering acts of mosquitoes. Open air sewers are also adequate to harbor the existence of various pests. Therefore in order to minimize the risks posed by such pests communities must be well aware in targeting problem areas and their management.
A traditional method of pest control is through the usage of poisoned bait. This is specifically used for the elimination of rat populations. In the old times poisoned meats were utilized in order to eradicate wolves and birds that continually feast on crops and livestock. Burning is another method particularly during the post harvest period of sugar canes. This is performed in order to make sure that the field is cleared of insects and eggs.
In European countries when the number of stray cats and dogs reach a high the local folks come together and gather all the animals that don’t have any owners. Unfortunately these animals are killed. In other areas around the globe teams of rat catchers are formed and tasked to chase and kill these pests using simple hand tools and the services of dogs. There is also a practice wherein the town clerk set a certain monetary reward for every rat head brought.
Although the conventional practices were quite crude as compared to the modern ways of biodynamic gardening and farming it is done in order to achieve a single common goal. This is to ensure that plant growth and development are not interrupted. Thus food supplies and livestock quality are not compromised.
Biodynamic Gardening Red Light
Plants are very helpful to the species of human. The reason behind this is that plants emit the very gas that keeps every bit of cell in the body in good living condition. Plants also provide the food and at times the fluid necessary for the continuity of life on earth. They too supply the materials needed in order to put up a shelter that can serve as protection from both heat and cold. Although at times they can be very pesky as in the case of biodynamic gardening and farming.
Since most organisms in this existence compete for the nourishment no matter how simple or complex the setting and situation are. There are times when plants themselves have to struggle in order to meet their own nutritional needs. This is where biodynamic techniques come in the picture as one of its facets includes weed control.
The management of weeds is actually the botanical component of pest control. It focuses on ceasing weed development before it reaches a specific point of growth that can result into maturity. Mature weeds can pose as harmful threats to domesticated plants and livestock via chemical and physical means. Weed maturation is not only the target of biodynamic methods as spreading and increase in population are also given ample time and consideration.
Organic is the name of the game when it comes to biodynamic principles. There are numerous combined methods that are commonly tapped on. Drip irrigation is the use of rubber hoses and similar devices in order to deploy water directly to the roots of plants. This act will limit the access of weed to water.
Manpower is very important in maintaining the optimum condition of plants. Weed control can also be triggered via manual labor. In this case workers are called on to pull weeds at specific times during the cultivating process. Tractors are common machineries that provide for mechanical tilling of weeds around crops during scheduled points of the growing process.
Ploughing is another form of tilling but this time the soil is involved. This can either be intercultural or summer ploughing. Deep summers are the highlight of summer ploughing. This ploughing variety also aids in pest removal and killing. The aim of the whole ploughing method is to till the soil and uproot the weeds leading to their elimination and eradication.
Plants can also be utilized to kill their own species that are causing havoc on the cultivation development. The method used in this scenario is called crop rotation. The rotation of crops is done in order to provide a time for plants that can kill weeds to take the battlefield. Examples of such plants are hemp and Mucuna pruriens. A weed mat or artificial mulch in the form of fibrous cloth or bark can also be placed on the top portion of the soil to avoid weed growth on the surface.
Biodynamic gardening and farming is not only about promoting positive aspects of agriculture. It is also made to outlast all sorts of destructive environmental elements that are constantly present no matter how big or small they are.
Biodynamic Gardening In Full Throttle
In any sort of field or competition being second is not enough. It is a strong fact that a large percentage of creatures on the planet strive hard in order to be named the best. In simpler terms it’s important to be on top of the food chain. Various people and inventions have outlasted the competition throughout the years one of which is an agricultural brand called biodynamic gardening and farming. Let’s see what the ratings say.
There has been a wide array of research studies performed in order to graph comparisons between the performances and outcomes of various agricultural methods. The results indicate that biodynamic techniques and principles have left the competition sniffing on its dust. Both organic and conventional methods do not stand up against the soil quality of farmed areas based on biodynamic concepts. The deciding factor is actually the presence of compost. Let’s peep closer.
A study was done in New Zealand farms during 1993. Reports came out with biodynamic farms wiping away the competition. It was stated that the soil had higher levels of physical and biological quality. There is a significant increase in composition and activities of microbes, higher number of earthworms, greater amount of organic matter, thicker topsoil, easier penetrability, and lower bulk density. In terms of economic aspects biodynamic farms were easily maintained and managed.
There was also a long period of study engaged in at a commercial vineyard in California. The focus was the comparison of the effects of biodynamic preparations on a certain vineyard block to another vineyard block that was tended with general organic farming methods. Further highlight and attention was given to the soil and crop quality. During the first six years of the study no significant difference was noted in the parameters that included the yield per vine, cluster and berry weight, and clusters per vine.
Nevertheless there was significant stat that attracted the attention of the researchers. There was a difference in the yield-to-pruning weight ratio with a p-value of less than 0.05. This indicated an ideal vine balance for the production of high-quality wine grapes for the crops that were treated with biodynamic preparations while those crops with general organic treatments came out as slightly overcropped. In one specific year of the study the wine grapes that were treated biodynamically showed significant boosts in Brix and notable increased amounts of anthocyanins and phenols.
An even longer study of 21 years was conducted by the FiBL Institute in Switzerland wherein a comparison of the agronomic and ecological capacities of two conventional systems, organic, and biodynamic methods were done. The study pointed out that nutrient input for biodynamic and organic systems was 34 to 51 percent lower as compared to the conventional systems and crop yield was 20 percent lower on average. This meant that biodynamic and organic systems have more capacity for efficiency in production.
The total amount of energy required to come up with a dry matter unit of crop was 20 to 56 percent lower and pesticide input was decreased by 100 percent for the biodynamic system. In aspects of humus formation, soil calcium, microbial mass, soil aggregate stability, and faunal biomass, the biodynamic system edged out even the organic system. Both the biodynamic and organic system outclassed the conventional systems during the conclusion of the study.
Biodynamic gardening and farming is a potent form of agricultural method. It is even more effective when the practitioner puts every concept into action by heart.
Biodynamic Farming: All About Vermiculture Technology
When it comes to biodynamic farming, people are turning to natural and traditional ways to help keep the soil fertile and organically rich in nutrients. One of the modernly developed techniques to arrive to biodynamic agriculture is vermiculture technology.
In the past, the use of earthworms and their castings or excretions in promoting plant growth had been widespread. In fact, ancient agricultural lands in Egypt, North America and Asia were abundant of earthworms, which were known to help spur and maintain overall productivity of lands. With the introduction of chemical fertilizers and the robust demand for food, agriculturists switched to the modern technology and systems of cropping to be able to cope up with fast demand and consumption.
These days, more and more farmers and agriculturists are reverting back to the old, organic and chemicals-free mode of farming. Putting earthworms into farms and plant plots has become a standard in ensuring that plants will grow better and healthier. But because of the adverse weather conditions and other factors, earthworms helpful to farming do not easily grow, thrive and propagate. This is the reason why vermiculture has become an important sector of agriculture.
Vermiculture is the process and technology of artificially cultivating or rearing earthworms for agricultural and productive purposes. Gone are the days when earthworms are regarded and treated as pests and as disgusting, small and crawling organisms. Now, worms are raised to reproduce faster. They are even fed and given optimal and ideal environment for growth and metabolism.
Earthworms are the only means to attain vermicomposting, which is in turn a way to significantly boost organic and important nutrients in the soil. The idea behind the process is that worms' excretions make the soil richer. Scientifically, vermiculture castings or earthworms' excretions, when mixed in the soil, have seven times more phosphorus, five times nitrate, 11 times potash, thrice amounts of magnesium and almost two times more calcium than normal soil used optimally for vegetable cropping in the most fertile agricultural lands. That is far better than what chemical and synthetic agricultural fertilizers can provide.
In a nutshell, overall benefits of vermiculture can never be underestimated. Vermiculture worms convert wastes, such as left over foods, tea bags, fruit peelings, vegetable scraps, eggshells and animal manure, into organic matter that fertilizes the soil and provide high humus content. Worms even facilitate entry of air into soil, which in turn helps increase resistance of plants so that there will be natural organic pesticidal features that drive away pests. There are even earthworm species that can be used as animal feed or as extenders to several processed foods.
Through the modern vermiculture technology, soil friendly earthworms are assisted so that they could reproduce faster and raise population by three to four times in just a month or two. Businesses specializing in the initiatives prepare and allot facilities ideal for earthworm reproduction and cultivation.
Earthworms are naturally demised by too much exposure to light, particularly sunlight, high and extremely freezing temperatures and non-moist soil. Thus, vermiculture involves artificially facilitating good and ideal environments where earthworms could thrive. This way, biodynamic farming could proceed.
Biodynamic Farming for Growing Houseplants
Are your consider using the advantage of biodynamic farming in raising and cultivating house plants? Now is the right time. The technique is not just effective in growing common agricultural crops. Whatever kind of plant, be it ornamental or vegetable, biodynamic farming would surely be useful. The use of earthworms in helping make the soil richer and more fertile for planting is one effective strategy to make it. Thus, vermiculture technology is of great help.
Vermiculture worms are best fertilizers for potted house plants. Those small, crawling creatures, which have been disgusting many people since time immemorial, are actually very helpful when it comes to keeping good health and spurring growth of plants. These times, you can generate significant savings from scrapping the need to spend for commercial fertilizers and for services of professional horticulturists and gardeners. If you are keeping house plants as a hobby, you should by this time understand why and how earthworms can be of good assistance to your endeavor.
The use of earthworms for cultivation and maintenance of house plants can be traced back to ancient history. In old Egypt, earthworms were used to boost productivity and fertility of food-producing soil, especially around Nile River, which is noted in history as the cradle and site of early agricultural civilization. From Egypt, the use of earthworms as soil fertilizers spread like fire to Europe and eventually to the rest of the Western civilizations.
In addition, the use of earthworms for potted plants or house plants is a very clear example of how local ecology could benefit from introduction of foreign species of organisms. Did you know that in North America, earthworms were not thriving abundantly until potted plants with earthworms and vermiculture worms were shipped from Europe? A little bit of trivia: Most native earthworms in the region died from the onset of the last Ice Age, about 70,000 years ago.
The US Department of Agriculture has also been coming out with studies about house plants and earthworms. Several findings indicate that presence of earthworm castings in potted house plants is a usual factor necessary for productivity and optimal growth of such plants. Researches commissioned by the agency have been highlighting improved growth of house plants if alive or even dead earthworms are added to the potted soil.
Whether your house plants are raised as ornaments or simply as part of your plant collections, it would be better if you would add earthworms to soil. You can opt to buy soil already beefed up with numerous worms or you could buy vermiculture worms from specialty agriculture shops. You need not be scared or be disgusted by the presence of earthworms in your potted house plants. Never worry if you think the worms could leap out from the pots. Earthworms are sensitive organisms and are not usually tolerating too much light, less humidity, lack of moisture and inexistence of soil.
If you are really serious about using biodynamic farming when growing potted houseplants, vermiculture should be an option.
Biodynamic Farming for Planting and Growing Vegetables
Earthworms or night crawlers are best used as fertilizers for vegetables, whether in small or large areas. Such organisms are best suited for a type of composting called vermicomposting. The composting type is a process wherein worms are fed to excrete a form of soil that is very rich in necessary and productive nutrients essential to growth of vegetable crops. This is clearly one technique to implement biodynamic farming. It is not surprising that these days, more and more farmers are treating earthworms as their real best friends.
Studies commissioned by different governmental agriculture institutions globally have found that vermiculture castings or earthworms' excretions, when mixed in the soil, have seven times more phosphorus, five times nitrate, 11 times potash, thrice amounts of magnesium and almost two times more calcium than normal soil used optimally for vegetable cropping in the most fertile agricultural lands. Vermiculture is indeed one effective way to maintain richness and fertility of soil.
In the past, or in some agricultural areas elsewhere in the globe today, some vegetable farmers regard earthworms as pests. That is why they keep on killing and removing worms they see around their crops. Little did such farmers know that earthworms are actually helpful. As such, the small organisms should be left alone and should be allowed to make burrows in the soil. Such small diggings have proven to be advantageous because they facilitate the flow and entry of air to the soil and down through the roots.
In the US, there are studies conducted by the Ohio State University showing how presence of earthworms in vegetable soil help the plants grow pest-free and ideally better. Vermicompost has been observed to free cabbage, pepper and tomato from savage and harmful pests like aphids, mealy bugs and caterpillars. Though the exact scientific reasons for the events are still yet to be determined, experts suggest that it is because vermicomposts are rich in highly essential nutrients that help vegetable cops become stress resistant and eventually unattractive to pests.
People should also be corrected and educated for their misconception that worms cause rotting of roots and of tubers. Experts and horticulturists emphasize that maggots and other pests usually cause such problems, not worms. In fact, earthworms are known to feed on decaying matters, decomposing leaves and barks and animal manure. The organisms have never been known to feed on vegetable roots, tubers and crops. This is surely one biodynamic farming technique that needs trying out.
If you plan to plant and raise vegetables on the big scale, it would be better if you would consider putting earthworms as fertilizers. Doing so would surely result to better and healthier growth of the vegetable crops and eventually to higher yields and harvests. Biodynamic farming is advantageous in such a way that there is no need to spend too much on chemicals just to make plants healthy. By keeping the soil fertile and conducive for planting, anyone could plant and grow vegetables that are of the highest quality.
Biodynamic Farming in Maintaining Vegetable Gardens
Biodynamic farming is one popular agriculture technique that is used by more and more farmers these days. It calls for organic and natural techniques to farming and maintaining health of plants and of course, the soil. Instead of investing in chemical sprays to keep vegetables healthy, there is a need to consider doing natural activities in doing so. Plucking pests and small insects that ruin vegetable leaves is one way.
There are numerous plant pests that you should prevent from thriving in your vegetable garden. For all you know, these pests are depriving your vegetable crops of the right and necessary nutrients and elements essential for growth and health. Your ultimate goal should always be to make your vegetable garden free from any of these pests:
Aphids - These are small, soft-structured insects feeding on vegetable growth tips and buds. They are responsible for making leaves curl and wither. These insects attack almost all kinds of vegetable crops. Insecticides are effective in killing and controlling them.
Beetles – Yes, these insects can be interesting and appealing. They come in hard and colorful shells and at different sizes. They produce irregularly-shaped and unnecessary holes in the leaves of the plants. They can be controlled manually by picking out, though, this can be a tedious and nerve-wracking activity.
Borer – These are insects responsible for wilting an entire vegetable plant. Borers can produce small holes in vegetables where wilting could uncontrollably begin. Borers usually attack melons, pumpkins and cucumbers. Controlling means there is a need for insecticides and for cutting affected parts or even destroying the whole plant.
Cabbage worms – The name is misleading because cabbage worms are not actually worms. They are caterpillars and are thriving underneath the top leaves of cabbages. They produce holes in foliages, which can startup withering and malnutrition in the plant. They usually attack cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli.
Cutworms – Like cabbage worms, cutworms are not technically worms. They are another kind of caterpillars. They can wilt an entire vegetable plant. To control their infestation, there is a need to cut off the plant at the base to prevent contagion. Cutworms usually affect pepper, tomato and cabbage.
To correct any misconception and wrong beliefs, earthworms should not be included in the list of vegetable garden pests. That is because they actually are not. On the contrary, earthworms have been found to be helpful in making vegetable crops healthier and more disease and pest resistant.
Earthworms help boost air and water circulation in the soil through their constant burrowing activities. When they do so, they even transport nutrients from the topsoil down to the subsoil where vegetable roots are. Worms eat decaying organic matters, breakdown chemicals and synthetics in the soil and excrete castings and slimes that further fertilize vegetable crops. This way, the creatures have been proven to be helpful in making plants stronger, healthier and more resistant to ailments and pests. Through controlling plant stress, pests are driven away.
If you want to make use of the effective biodynamic farming style in agriculture, you should learn to consider earthworms as your best friend. They may be creepy and disgusting in appearance, but they bring no harm, especially to your vegetable garden. Instead, they bring life.
Biodynamic Farming: Tips for Cultivating Soil-Friendly Earthworms Indoor
Are you considering adapting biodynamic farming? It is about time you do so. Nowadays, costs of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers are higher. There are also health and environmental issues that you have to look at. By using natural techniques to farming, you could effectively become more productive. The soil could be made richer by keeping it safe and healthy. Natural organisms that thrive in it should not be put off, specifically and especially earthworms. Did you know that many farmers these days are aiming to multiply the number of earthworms in their land? There are techniques to do so.
Vermiculture is an artificial way of cultivating and breeding earthworms. As such, the technology is appropriate and effective to be facilitated and implemented indoors. While usual composting can be done outdoors, vermicomposting is perfect indoors. Vermicomposting is composting biodegradable substances and objects using earthworms. The idea is that earthworms would feed on decaying kitchen leftovers and animal manure. In the process, worms feed, digest and metabolize leaving excretions that are made up of organic nutrients that make the soil richer.
Vermicomposting can also be done outdoors, but indoors is how it can be perfectly conducted. Worm bins are commercially available for the purpose. Worm bins are special containers that are designed and manufactured especially and specifically to facilitate earthworm growth and reproduction for composting. The earthworms to be raised and reproduced are also available commercially. There are various businesses in operations today that supply such worms. There are two options for buying the worms. One, you can buy the worms by the bulk for direct transfer to the plots or soil containing crops. Second, you can buy vermiculture worms for the purpose of raising them further so you can reproduce and culture your own earthworms artificially.
Red worms are most ideal and recommended for vermicomposting. Such manure worms or red wigglers thrive mostly in decaying organic matter like compost heaps, manure piles and leaf piles. These worms are basically smaller in comparison to night crawlers. They are reddish brown in color and are natively found in Europe. The presence of red worms is indicative of soil fertility because they herald high organic matter content as toxic substances are eliminated as well in the soil.
Aside from that, red worms are best for indoor composting. That is because the creatures are efficient organic waste processors. They take in food and excrete their own weight all the time. A small worm bin can yield significant pounds of nutritive and ideal compost, called popularly as worm castings. In two to three months, indoor compost can be harvested and used as organic and alternative fertilizer.
If you are really serious in adapting biodynamic farming, you should start raising and cultivating soil-friendly earthworms. If the soil in your garden does not contain more than enough of those soil, it is about time you adapt vermiculture technology to do so. It would truly be a lot of help in your endeavor. For sure, production of your land would rise.
Composting, Earthworms, and Biodynamic Farming
Do you want to boost productivity of soil in your garden? There is no need to turn to expensive fertilizers and pesticides. Aside from bringing about health and environmental hazards, such products are less effective compared to natural techniques. You should start learning biodynamic farming. The concept is not that hard to understand. For quite some time, scientists and experts have been emphasizing the advantage of using natural means to take care of the soil and of plants.
Composting is one activity you should learn about. Through it, you can easily and conveniently produce natural and organic fertilizer right at your own backyard or at the garden. When into the activity, you should also recognize several important factors. First, always remember to use organic or biodegradable materials for your compost. Al things in the system must naturally and easily decompose. Second, you should encourage and promote growth and multiplication of earthworms.
Composting is best done outdoors. Vermicomposting is quite different in that it can be done either indoors or outdoors. Outdoor is still an effective means for vermicomposting. This way, the use of usual indoor worm bins is eliminated. In replacement, worm cultivation can be done using a small portion of land.
Before embarking on the outdoor vermicomposting, be sure to prepare the bedding appropriately. To do so, just put shredded fallen leaves, aged manure, chopped up straw and dead seaweed, plants, compost and sawdust. These would provide nutrients and nourishment needed by worms. Eventually, there will be richer compost. To make vermicomposting better and more effective, it would be ideal if sand would be added to soil so that additional and needed grit could be provided in aid of worms’ digestion.
Red worms are most ideal for outdoor vermicomposting as well. There are two types of red worms for this outdoor worm composting, namely, Eisenia foetida and Lumricus rubellus. These worms are usually found in aging manure and in compost heaps. It is not advisable to use dew worms or those large sized worms usually found in composts and soils as they would not likely survive outdoor composting.
Keep the compost bed moist all the time. You can do so by watering the area at least twice a day, one in the morning and another before night falls. To retain moisture, you can put shredded cardboard or newspaper on top of the area or heaps of hays or dried leaves. It would also be ideal if you would keep the bedding protected from possible attacks and intrusion from animals, insects and other possible predators like birds, ants and rats.
You compost would be ready after a few weeks. How do you use it? It would appear like normal soil when it is ready to be used. Just put it around your plants, the way you apply fertilizers. The compost produce should serve as a significant and wise replacement or substitution for chemicals and commercially available fertilizers. In no time, plants will be more productive and healthier than ever. Biodynamic farming is really helpful and advantageous.
Could Biodynamic Farming be Used in Plantations?
Plantations are wide areas of land designated for planting and cultivation of industrial and trading crops like tobacco, cotton, sugar cane and coffee. There are also plantations that exist for wood or timber. These large pieces of estate and farms are most common in tropical and subtropical countries. There is even a system of tilting and tilling the harvests and bounties. Mostly, land owners commission resident laborers to take care and guard the plantations in exchange for cash or goods payments or simply permission to inhabit in a portion of the land. Did you know that biodynamic farming could be applied to it as well?
Because of its great scale, costs for fertilizers are usually waived. Owners realize that because the trees and crops in plantations are usually sturdy and resistant from pests, it is better and more practical to let crops live naturally. For quite some time, the practice of letting plantations nourish and take care of themselves has been rampant. Few people take note that nature does not leave plantations unattended. In the absence of synthetic fertilizers, nature has brought about earthworms to do the job.
Earthworms are small, crawling creatures that live beneath the soil. They are most common in moist soils, where they can live and roam around more freely. It is a common knowledge these days that crops in plantations and earthworms are living symbiotically and harmoniously.
Earthworms feed on organic matters from the trees like fallen leaves, tree barks and rotten fruits. In the end, the worms complete the digestion and metabolism process and excrete castings, which in turn mix with the soil and provide necessary and essential nutrients to be used by the trees. Worms even do more than that. Their burrowing action helps facilitate further aeration and transport nutrients from the topsoil down to the subsoil. The result, trees and crops in plantations grow healthier and more productive, producing more leaves and fruits that eventually get back to the soil to be consumed by the future generations of earthworms.
However, in plantations, existence of earthworms is always jeopardized. There are elements and factors that provide risks to worms like the existence of birds, insects and other animals that may prey on the crawling creatures. Aside from that, occasional drought or drying of the soil especially during summers can also be a problem.
Thus, modern plantations are now starting to invest in vermiculture worms, which are available in the market in bulk. Vermiculture worms are artificially raised in made-up ideal environments that are conducive to better and faster reproduction of worms. Such worms are sold so that they could be transferred and left out to the soil in plantations. These ways, the volume of earthworms in such areas are significantly bolstered. It is not surprising that biodynamic farming is very useful even in great scales and proportions of land involved.
Plantations get more productive when applied with organic and natural soil fertilizing methods. It is just about the right time to be safer and more effective at the same time.
Earthworms, Biodynamic Farming, and Orchards
If you think earthworms would not be useful in orchards, you are mistaken. Worms are small soil-inhabited creatures that are present wherever there is moist soil. They are present in farms, vegetable gardens, backyards and yes, even orchards. There are numerous large and sturdy trees in orchards, but earthworms are still thriving in the areas’ soil, however large and strong roots of towering fruit trees may become. Thus, the creatures are essential and necessary in making biodynamic farming work.
Orchards are specific and specialized land areas for planting and habitation of shrubs and trees. Purposely, such land areas are allotted for food production through the dominance of fruit trees. There are also nut-producing trees that are planted and maintained in orchards for commercial production of food.
Natural orchards are usually located near water bodies, where climates are extremes and moderated. Man-made or artificial orchards are commercially funded and are artificially provided with water supplies and temperate climates. There are many consumer businesses and food manufacturers that are establishing and maintaining their own orchards, especially those in the fruit marketing and processing operations.
Naturally or artificially, earthworms are common features of orchards. As usual, they are helpful in that they help make the soil more nutritive. Worms feed on organic matter like fallen leaves and tree barks. They also feed on soil. When they excrete, their castings are mixed to the soil, which is made fertilized due to high levels of potassium, magnesium, nitrogen and phosphorus. Aside from that, the natural burrowing action of earthworms facilitates further aeration and transport of nutrients from the topsoil down to the subsoil, where most active root parts are located.
Natural orchards have abundant volumes of earthworms. Artificial orchards can be implanted with heavy volumes of vermiculture or artificially raised and cultivated earthworms. Orchard keepers and agriculturists know how advantageous having earthworms in orchard soils could be. More volumes of earthworms should be present in such land areas because there are more risks of exposure to predators like birds, possible soil dryness and exposure to harmful sunlight, which are all usual in acres of orchards.
As such, vermicultured earthworms are more appropriate for orchards. The presence of more worms in orchards has been proven to help make fruit trees more productive. The need for expensive and tediously applied fertilizers can also be significantly reduced, if not totally eliminated. There will also be fewer problems about disposal of organic wastes from the trees and from animals and insects roaming the areas.
The soil in orchards should be maintained rich and fertile. That may be hard to do but through the help of earthworms, it would be possible. Such creatures are usually disgusting and scaring people, but you should not be scared and disgusted of them. In fact, if you really want your orchard to be productive as it can be, you should learn to appreciate and recognize the importance of earthworms in biodynamic farming, particularly in helping keep the richness and conduciveness of the soil.
Earthworms’ Roles in Biodynamic Farming
Biodynamic farming emphasizes interrelationship among soil, plants, and animals. Natural inhabitants of soil could be of great use to farming. This is what earthworms are all about. Usually, people are scared and disgusted to see earthworms. It is time everyone realizes how such crawling creatures can help bring about higher productivity and fertility of the soil.
Earthworms are not just useful especially to agriculture. If you would know the creatures better, you will note that they are more interesting than they initially seem. There are more fascinating facts and trivial information about these crawling organisms. Here are some of those interesting facts:
• The average life span of earthworms, depending on species, is about four to eight years. That is on the assumption that environmental or surrounding conditions of the creatures are conducive and ideal for their survival. If the environment gets less conducive, of course, earthworms could perish. Worms are not able to survive freezing temperatures as well as too much sunlight. That is why they are thriving in the dark through the burrows they create on the soil. Some earthworms are even referred to as night crawlers because they tend to go out at night when three is no sunlight.
• There are more than 3,000 different species of earthworms. Anecic worms burrow through the soil and surface to the soil at night to get some food and drag it down to their permanent homes beneath the topsoil. Endogeic worms have shallower burrows and are feeding on organic matters already abundant in the soil. Epigeic worms are those feeding on litter and decaying organic matters. They do not own permanent burrows but they keep on doing such diggings. Epigeic worms are the types used for artificial cultivation of vermiculture.
• Worms, especially the vermiculture types, also have needs to survive further and reproduce better. Among the basic necessities of worms are adequate food, aeration, a 70% to 90% moisture content and ideal temperatures of about 15°C to 30°C.
• Vermiculture is the process or technology of raising, reproducing and maintaining earthworms artificially. Vermiculture is also a scientific and organized process because materials used are specific and processes are strict. Vermiculture pits should are always protected from direct light from the sun and are always kept moist. Protection from predators like rats, birds and ants are also ascertained.
• You can actually artificially raise earthworms. It just can be a tedious process. If you need worms for your crops, plantations or orchards, you can always easily secure and buy some by the kilos at vermiculture centers and businesses in your community.
Earthworms are important to biodynamic farming. Farmers should acknowledge this fact. The next time you see one in your garden, do not put it off or kill it. Be thankful for its presence. Naturally, earthworms are nature’s gift to the soil, where plants grow. Get rid of pests, but not of earthworms. You should also look at other biodynamic farming techniques that are available.
How to Make Flowers Bloom using Biodynamic Farming
Isn't it really nice to see your garden blooming with beautiful and lively flowers? As a gardener, you should know that you need to put a lot of investments just to attain that primrose appeal you have always longed for. Aside from your expenses for seedlings, you should also invest more money for fertilizers and ample amount of time and effort to maintain the cleanliness and the conduciveness of your garden. Not anymore. These days, techniques in biodynamic farming could help lower or eliminate costs in buying and applying fertilizers to plants.
If you aim to save on costs and time, but at the same time make your garden more blooming with countless flowers, you should consider investing in vermicultured worms. Did you know that doing so would help you not just cut expenses on chemical and synthetic fertilizers but also opt to spend more time guarding your flowering plants against pests? Earthworms have long been considered the gardens' superstars. Together with several friendly fungi and non-harmful bacteria, expect that worms can be able to turn your garden into a primrose.
There are several reasons why earthworms are able to help keep flowers in your garden healthy even all year long. First, worms significantly help the entry of air and water into the soil. It is a common knowledge that earthworms dig burrows. When they do so, they are able to loosen soil, providing needed oxygen to plant roots. The burrows also bring more room where roots can spread.
Vermicultured worms break down various organic substances like leaves to become important nutrients that are essential to flowering plants' overall health. Because of their crawling activities, earthworms help transport nutrients from the topsoil to the subsoil, about six inches deep. The organisms also help keep pH level in the soil just ideal for plant utilization. At the same time, the crawling organisms secrete slime-like substances that contain generous amounts of nitrogen, which in turn give plants their dark green color as well as stronger leaves and stems.
Unfortunately, the volume of earthworms naturally thriving in your flowering garden may not be enough to bring about immediate results. As a matter of fact, natural earthworms in the garden may extinct and dwindle because of too much supply of sunlight, lack of moisture and exposure to risks brought about by predators like birds and insects. That is why there is a need for you to invest in vermicultured worms, which can be bought and transferred easily into the soil in your garden. If you are really determined to make your flower bloom more and livelier, try out investing in such artificially cultured worms. You are assured that your garden would be healthier and more organic.
Many gardeners could attest to the usefulness and effectiveness of this biodynamic farming technique. There is no need to buy chemicals and fertilizers that could pose risks to human health and to the environment. Let earthworms take care of your farming. The creatures are naturally farming friendly.
Productive Fruit Trees through a Biodynamic Farming Strategy
As kids, you surely can remember fond and fun memories when you chased after worms and killed them. You can have memories of fright, disgust and simply anger of the tiny helpless creatures, which, as you were told by elders, could enter your body and cause so much troubles and illnesses. In reality, earthworms do not deserve such treatment. In fact, they could play a vital and significant role in what is popularly known today as biodynamic farming, or the use of natural and organic farming techniques to yield agricultural products.
By now, you should know that earthworms are truly helpful. Their appearance may prompt disgust and scare to people, but they are never harmful. They are the superstars of the soil, and there are more than enough reasons for that. They break down organic matters and excrete castings and slimes that contain nutrients that further enrich the soil.
You can actually take advantage of the usefulness of earthworms especially if you intend to plant fruit trees. For all you know, you need not spend too much on fertilizers and do much efforts in tilting and digging the soil where your fruit tree seedlings will be implanted. You can leave those jobs to who else but your soil and farming buddies---earthworms.
If you decided to plant fruit trees late in the planting season (autumn), you still could do so, without the need to wait for the next planting season. Yes, the soil could be invariably damp and too tightened, making it harder to dig. You surely will have a difficult time to dig deeper. Worse, you have to dig around the large area where the fruit tree seedlings will be planted. Do not worry. As long as there are earthworms around, you can be spared from such tedious activities.
All you have to do is dig the site where the seedling will be implanted and put some earthworms around. Plant the tree and presto, you can leave and just visit the plant occasionally. The earthworms will take care of loosening the damp soil, transporting rich nutrients from the topsoil to the subsoil and making burrows that could facilitate further entry and circulation of air and water into the soil. As worms continue to thrive around the area, they could even provide good natural fertilizers to the fruit trees. Their excreted castings are significantly abundant with the right nutrients perfect for growth of plants.
Even until the fruit trees have already grown up and become sturdy, earthworms could still continue to be of good service. That is the reason why worms should be considered buddies of plants and trees.
If there are not enough volumes of earthworms in your meadows, backyard or land areas allotted for planting of fruit trees, you could opt to invest in vermicultured earthworms. Vermiculture is the technology and process of artificially cultivating and growing worms to boost their reproduction and growth. Such earthworms could truly be helpful in making you succeed in using biodynamic farming techniques. It should not be that hard.
Biodynamic Gardening Unplugged
Nature has played a very special role in the continuity of man’s existence in this world. She has been highly regarded as a caring mother that never ceases to provide the needs of her children. In line with this matter it is but right to put topmost priority to return each and every ounce of what nature has sufficiently given. Let’s learn about how people in the agriculture industry show their love for nature via biodynamic gardening.
The very special aspect that biodynamic gardening or farming brings into the picture is that is gives emphasis on looking at the soil and the farm in a broader perspective. This only means that the farm or garden is not just any area or plot but more of an environment where living organisms thrive. Having this line of thought the message of giving care and sustenance to every bit of creatures within the vicinity is given a high level of significance.
Furthermore the beauty within the circles of biodynamic gardening is that the soil is given apt individuality. This individuality gives the soil the recognition as an important entity that has to be preserved in order for more and more generation to experience all of its benefits. More so there is the primary objective of fully maintaining an ideal concept of self-containment. A farm or garden is able to produce or come with a certain result geared to positivity only if it allowed to. This can only happen if the proper and ample resources are manipulated accordingly.
Soil vitality and richness is a very powerful factor in its bid to protect itself from harmful forces that are quite normal within the realm where it exists. Due to climate changes and natural calamities erosion may occur that may lead to the destruction of soil components and quality. Now, biodynamic techniques of gardening and farming aim to boost the defensive mechanisms of the soil by catapulting the creation of an augmented and improved form of soil humus. This will eventually lead to the formation of even more fine soil structures that are composed of essential organic colloids. The end result is brings forth high-end crop variations which means better forms of vegetative and fruit sustenance to both animals and human beings.
Another bright feature of biodynamic methods is something that gives high relevance on the soil itself is being worked on. The soil is like a child that needs the right amount of touch and attention. There is proper timing and depth in each movement that is directed to plowing, planting, and cultivating. Both knowledge and skill gives a better kick in caring for the soil. Real-life experiences and in-depth research studies join together in the quest to bring each soil particle to its fullest potential.
The unique facet of biodynamic gardening and farming is that in the period of is existence it teaches soil handling and care as a significant way of life. It is a building a relationship with nature and working extra hard in order to forge a strong connection that will truly lead to massive changes on the quality and benefits of crops and flowers. Moreover, it brings the practitioner in a certain oneness with the land, a land that will solidify his very existence in this world.
Derailing Biodynamic Gardening
No matter how good the intentions of a certain individual or group there are certain people commonly known as critics that stand on their way. No matter how enriching the acts of naturally inclined leaders and good Samaritans all over the world detractors are always waiting for the right time to bring them down. This also holds true for principles that only aim to uplift the quality of life of the human species. Let’s take a look at how some derail the progress of biodynamic gardening and farming.
In a certain publication editorial, a man with the name of Peter Treue stated that similar outcomes can be produced with the use of organic farming ways instead of hailing too much praise on biodynamic preparations. It was also noted that this person happened to criticize even the organic farming system. Furthermore he tagged biodynamic means of agriculture as something that is associated with magic, alchemy, and an akin to geomancy.
With this on hand let’s take a look at geomancy and figure out if it really has some sort of connection with biodynamic principles. There are many forms of this practice all over the world one of which involves the Arabic tradition that is founded on sketching sixteen random lines of dots in sand. In Africa a traditional component of geomancy is performed by throwing handfuls of dirt in the air and observing how the dirt falls. A very ancient form of geomancy originated in West Africa which utilizes the same sixteen geomantic figure of the Arabic and Western countries but with different names and meanings.
In China a certain diviner enters a trance and start making markings on the ground that are to be interpreted by a specific associate in the form of a young and illiterate boy. There are also geomancy patterns that are evident in rocks and soil which is called as scrying. Moreover, a series of binary trigrams are generated at random and the resulting figures are picked to form combinations. The figures gathered are not added or reorganized just like the common geomancy practices rather it is taken in order to form a single hexagram.
Now you judge for yourself if these ideas have something to do with biodynamic forms of agriculture. Now going back to detractors, in 1994 Holger Kirchmann ended up in a conclusion that Steiner’s guidelines were both leading and or paranormal nature. Thus it cannot really give positive contributions to the formulation of sustainable agriculture. Furthermore his hypothesis cannot be empirically cleared since his description of cosmic forces cannot be really manipulated and measured.
A more recent review of biodynamic methods was done in 2004 and was spearheaded by Linda Chalker-Scott. She focused on the issue of research articles about the comparison of biodynamic principles and preparations with conventional agricultural ways. According to her there should be separation of the terms biodynamic and organic. This is why she believed that there are no really substantial amounts of scientific testing for biodynamic preparations thereby reducing the accuracy of claims that its practice can bring about an increase in soil quality and crop production.
As always each and every person is entitled to an opinion. Some may not believe in the benefits of biodynamic gardening and farming and some might take it side. The important thing is that people are aware that there should steps taken in order to preserve each element of the environment so as to ensure continuity in the provision of food sources.
The Biodynamic Gardening Persona
History is filled with many people that have made a lot of difference. It is in this difference that countless lives have been uplifted. It is through this difference that many forms of society and community have made it pass through all sorts of catastrophes and trying times. These handful men and women have carved their way not only on the irreplaceable pages of time but also within the hearts of each human being they have touched. Let’s meet the man behind the birth of biodynamic gardening.
It was on that fateful year of 1924 when a certain group of farmers that were so much concerned with the way agriculture was progressing came straight towards the aid of a man named Rudolf Steiner. Steiner swiftly obliged to their plea by holding different phases and series of lectures regarding agriculture. This paved the way for the birth of a revolution in farming and gardening. Biodynamic methods came straight into the scene and rapidly took a position of stardom in dominant areas of North America, Europe, and Australia.
The main focus of the teaching given by Mr. Steiner is the concept of farm individuality. This involves having few or no external sources of farm manipulation. Only the materials that were naturally and innately within the farm should be allowed to circulate within its circles. These consisted of manure and animal feeds that were purely part of what Steiner tagged as farm organisms.
Steiner also introduced a unique aspect of the botanical world wherein activities are to be timed accordingly with the movement patterns of heavenly bodies. One very good example is planting and applying additional preparations and treatments during the time when planets and the moon are in good alignment. The reason behind this principle is that there are higher chances of absorbing natural materials that were specifically designed to boost the components and general structure of the soil. Although Steiner might have some eccentric and unconventional ideas during his sessions he still encouraged the farmers to test his teaching scientifically.
It was during the early years of the 20th century when the concept of inorganic fertilizers began to invade the agricultural industry particularly condensed nitrogen which was administered via aerial means. Steiner was not slow at letting the agricultural field know his thoughts. He believed that as part of a general law mineral manures should not be utilized to treat the plants since they bring forth a significant loss of nutritive value.
Steiner also took notice of how the quality of food during the past years has deteriorated. He pointed out that the very culprit for this happening is the appearance of chemical farming. He was firmly against the use of artificial pesticides and fertilizers. Mr. Steiner was not only concerned on the biological and chemical shift that the soil had to undergo. He saw that there were spiritual shortcomings in terms of how chemical faming was developed and practiced.
As a man of biodynamic gardening and farming, Rudolf Steiner stood on the approach known as monism wherein a specific environment and its constituents simultaneously exist both in physical and spiritual aspects. In addition, living matter according to Steiner was entirely of separate realms with dead matter. This is the why synthetic forms of enhancements are very much different from their living counterparts.
