What is biodynamic growing?
Simply put, this form of growing is based around organic principles – meaning without the use of pesticides or artificial fertilisers – but goes a step or two further by taking into account and wider cosmos, and the influence that it has upon us aiming to enhance the connection of all life (bio) forces (dynamics). A key element of biodynamics is a consideration of the alignment of our planetary system and the rotations of the Earth, sun and moon.
How can planetary alignments impact plants?
In the same way that a plant’s growth is governed by the energy it derives from the sun for photosynthesis, biodynamic thinking follows that it is also affected by the forces of the moon and wider cosmos.
The crux of biodynamics is that throughout the year – as the moon passes through its cyclical phases and across star constellations channelling different forces back to Earth – there are prime days for focusing on certain growing tasks. These fall into four types of days; leaf (such as lettuce, cabbage, herbs etc.), flower (rose, iris, broccoli etc.), root (potatoes, carrots, parsnips etc.) and fruit (strawberries, blackcurrants, tomatoes, pumpkins etc.) days. The theory is that when, for example, it’s a designated leaf day, you should sow, cultivate or harvest only your leaf crops as that is the optimal time to do so, to attain the best quality possible. I often have to compromise if weather, for example, affects what I want to do or a certain crop really does need attention, but I do achieve certain tasks on the right day about 90% of the time.
This calendar was devised and translated by biodynamic scientist Maria Thun during the 1950s, who experimented by planting different crops in identical conditions (soil/climate), but during different phases of the moon and constellation cycle (every 2-3 days). In over 40 years of research she showed that crops achieved different size and qualities depending on when in the celestial calendar they were planted.
The Biodynamics Association produces an annual sowing and planting calendar based on Maria’s thinking that I use on the farm, which shows the optimum days for sowing, pruning and harvesting various plants and crops.
This all sounds a bit mystical…
Biodynamics has faced its fair share of scepticism over the years, mainly because many of its most integral practices can’t be explained directly by science and many believe it to be based on ‘old wives’ tales’. However, more often than not, these ‘old wives’ tales’ are founded on learnings and knowledge gained by our ancestors when farming and growing produce within the Earth’s seasonal cycle.
As a civilisation we are now so far removed from nature and our connection with the cosmos that this can all sound rather alien and off-putting. 100 years ago it was a much easier philosophy to understand, as people were more closely connected to the cycles of the seasons and to the land.
What led you to grow biodynamically?
I was never looking to specifically grow biodynamically, but was searching for a thoughtful and considerate form of growing that produced beautiful, delicious nutrient-rich plants and biodynamics seemed to offer this.
I’ve been growing using these principles since 1996 – and Fern Verrow has been a Demeter certified biodynamic farm since 1998 – and all I can say is that by following this approach I’ve been able to create naturally stronger, disease resilient and more nutritious produce. I don’t fully know how it works, I just know that it does, and truly believe that it creates the best quality plants, food and flowers. I enjoy how practical it is and how it helps me solve problems on the farm. I also like that it allows me to be part of a philosophy that promotes the nurturing of plants and respecting nature.
So is biodynamic growing just for farmers?
Not at all. Biodynamics can easily be practised at home, from a small plot to a balcony. It may be founded on rural principles, but the concept can be applied to any form of plant growing.
It’s not complicated, although it does require effort and observation. You have to give of yourself in all types of organic gardening – you need to dig out that dock rather than spray it with something dreadful that will poison the land – but for me it really is the best thing you can do for the land, for the soil and for the planet. Your efforts of love and care you put into tending your land and crops will reap rewards beyond any quantifiable value or form.
