Learning Biodynamic Preparations

Solutions provided by nature are found within nine biodynamic preparations. Biodynamic preparations are made using natural ingredients as highlighted below. Preparations that are highly valued by biodynamic farmers and gardeners. These biodynamic preparations are: horn manure (500); horn silica (501); yarrow (502); chamomile (503); stinging nettle (504); oak bark (505); dandelion (506); valerian (507) and horsetail (508). Using these preparations helps illustrate an important difference biodynamic farmers and gardeners, compared with their organic colleagues, which is notably that biodynamic systems produces its own fertility and health care.

In my first blog for the Biodynamic Association (BDA), I highlighted my first experience of horn manure preparation stirring with Bernard Jarman at Hawkwood College – today the venue for a gathering of biodynamic people to discuss the annual delivery of new preparations, to work on quality testing and sensing of all the preparations both in store and the new ones (in July). In addition, it provided the new Certification Manager, Hannah Gutteridge, and me – the ideal learning opportunity to understand the importance of the quality of the preparations in biodynamic farming and gardening. Writing about my biodynamic preparations learning will enhance the discussion, in my next blog, about why healthy living soils help sequester carbon when managed biodynamically.

Brimstone and speckled wood butterflies have caught my attention as we walk up the driveway to the front of Hawkwood College. It’s a sunny, warm morning in mid-July (2024) and I’m enjoying listening to the birdsong as a prelude to immersing myself into learning more about the nine different, yet connected preparations. Here is an overview of what I learnt during my morning listening to the discussions, from Bryony Young, Ian Bailey & Gabriel Kaye, and having the opportunity to feel and see the new preparations:

Cow Horn Manure: promotes soil life and microbial diversity. It’s used to stimulate soil vitality, encourage formation of deeper rooting systems, increase earthworm activity and aid soil moisture retention. This preparation is made through a process of placing fresh cow manure into cow horn, burying these for six months throughout the winter and excavating the horns the following April. The matured manure is now a brown-black crumble. Through sample DNA testings by Padua University the manure from these tests are shown to contain the perfect mix and balance of helpful bacteria and fungi for good, energised soil.

Horn Silica: is essential to enhance plant growth and maturity, quality of crops and improve ripeness. It’s sprayed as a fine mist and its use is a key requirement for all Demeter certified farms. Unlike other preparations this one is buried in April and dug-up 6-months later in October.

The following six preparations are all based on medicinal herbs that are used to enliven and enhance a compost heap. This is achieved through a fermentation process and added in small quantities to the compost heap as it’s being built and when it’s turned. These prepared medicinal herbs help strengthen the quality, stabilise nitrogen, carbon, and other nutrients, as well as increase microbial diversity. Research shows that compost preparations increase soil life, and that plants are more robust, pest and disease resistant.

 Yarrow: has to be kept from direct sunlight whilst drying. Yarrow flower is used to fill a stag’s bladder, which is then buried.

Chamomile: stored in cow’s small intestine to dry. Again, buried in Autumn and removed from the ground the following spring.

Stinging Nettle: preparations remain in the soil for an entire year. Made from the entire plant which is buried in a pit. The preparation is a dark black colour.

Oak Bark: is filled into the skull of a farm animal, buried in the Autumn in a wet place and excavated the following spring.

Dandelion flowers: made into a parcel with a  cow’s mesentery is buried in Autumn and dug-up in spring it is important the flowers do not seed as they mature in the preparation.

Valerian: a solution made from the flowers of valerian is sprayed over the compost heap and provides a warmth blanket over the whole heap.

The ninth preparation involves:

 Horsetail: which is used to minimise and prevent mildew and blight. It’s also important to control and balance fungal processes.

Throughout this sunny July morning at Hawkwood College, it was great for our biodynamic learning and journey to be in the company of several highly knowledgeable, experienced biodynamic practitioners. To be able to feel the texture of, and smell, each preparation was an invaluable lesson in the continued development of my career with the BDA.

Gary Roberts ( BDA  Charity Manager)