Biodynamic Books
Biodynamic agriculture, a method of organic farming that has its basis in a spiritual world-view (anthroposophy, first propounded by Rudolf Steiner), treats farms as unified and individual organisms,emphasizing balancing the holistic development and interrelationship of the soil, plants, animals as a closed, self-nourishing system. Regarded by some proponents as the first modern ecological farming system, biodynamic farming includes organic agriculture's emphasis on manures and composts and exclusion of the use of artificial chemicals on soil and plants. Methods unique to the biodynamic approach include the use of fermented herbal and mineral preparations as compost additives and field sprays and the use of an astronomical sowing and planting calendar.
What Is Biodynamics?
Created from indications by Rudolf Steiner around 1924, and based on a deep understanding of the life forces at work in nature, farming and gardening with biodynamic methods are spiritual, artistic, and sophisticated forms of organic horticulture that nurture and enhance the earth. It emphasizes the interdependence and unity of all the elements of an ecosystem or landscape -- including soil, plants, animals, and weather. Taking the soil as the foundation for the vitality and diversity of a farm or garden, biodynamic methods use special herbal "preparations" to increase the energetic quality of the soil, stimulating plant growth and health. Biodynamic methods go beyond organic practices to actually heal the earth herself. Typical of the biodynamic approach are companion planting, crop rotation, cover crops, green manures, liquid manures, compost, the integration of crops and livestock, and planting and harvesting in harmony with the lunar and planetary cycles. (read more)
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The Biodynamic Sowing and Planting Calendar 2010
By Maria Thun, Matthias K. Thun - Pre-order. This title will ship upon release.
This is the original biodynamic sowing and planting calendar, now in its 48th year. This useful guide shows the optimum days for sowing, pruning and harvesting various plants and crops, as well as working with bees. It is presented in colour with clear symbols and explanations. For the third year, the calendar includes a pullout wallchart which can be pinned up in a barn, shed or greenhouse as a handy quick reference. (read more) (read more)
Principles of Biodynamic Spray and Compost PreparationsBy Manfred Klett
A renowned biodynamic expert, Klett provides a fascinating overview of the history of agriculture, then goes on to discuss the practicalities of spray and compost preparations and the philosophy behind them. This is essential reading for any biodynamic gardener or farmer who wants to understand the background to core biodynamic techniques. It is based on keynote talks given by Manfred Klett at Biodynamic Agricultural Association conferences. More
Biodynamic Gardening: For Health and Taste
Any gardener who already works with biodynamics will tell you the difference it has made to his or her garden. From crispier lettuce to more intensely-flavoured onions, biodynamics is a great way to get your garden to produce tasty, nutrient-packed fruit and vegetables. The ideas behind biodynamics can sometimes be difficult to explain, however, and appear rather strange to those who are new to the technique. Hilary Wright, an experienced and passionate biodynamic gardener, guides the novice through the key points, whilst never losing sight of the ultimate goal: a healthy, abundant garden. Easy-to-follow step-by-step illustrations, explanatory diagrams and colour photographs show how biodynamic techniques can work for any gardener. (read more)
The Demeter Cookbook: Recipes Based on Biodynamic Ingredients, from the Kitchen of the Lukas Klinik
This "official" Demeter Cookbook presents more than 200 recipes developed and collected by the Swiss Chef Hermann Spindler. Included are tempting recipes for sauces, soups, hors d'oeuvres, salads, main dishes, puddings, and desserts. It also features special recipes for casseroles and gratins, vegetables, quark (curd cheese) dishes, grain dishes, doughs, savory and sweet pastries, muesli and drinks--interspersed with informative commentary on the value of spices.
Since its foundation by Rudolf Steiner in 1924, the international biodynamic agricultural movement has produced high-quality, premium organic food that is increasingly sought out and respected for its flavor, quality, and nutritional value. The Demeter® logo certifies that the product has been grown and processed using verified biodynamic methods. (read more)
Performance in the Garden : A Collection of Talks on Biodynamic French Intensive Horticulture
By Alan Chadwick, Stephen J. Crimi, John Jeavons
E.M. Schumacher (Small is Beautiful) called Englishman Alan Chadwick "the greatest horticulturist of the 20th century." Chadwick was a student of Rudolf Steiner, an early advocate of organics, and founder of French Intensive Biodynamic System. He railed against the tragic policies of corporate agribusiness, while cultivating gardens of sublime beauty and production in the 60's and 70's throughout the United States. Nearly everyone practicing biodynamics today has been kissed by the Chadwick transmission. Up until now his unique artistic approach and deep perception of nature were unavailable in writing. Performance in the Garden harvests sixteen incredible, inspired and practical talks that will help us, as herbalist and friend Paul Lee aptly put it, "replant the vital root of existence." (read more)
take me to fishpond | top | home page |Soil Fertility, Renewal and Preservation: Biodynamic Farming and Gardening
Ways of working towards sustainable agriculture for our world have never been more important. This reissued edition of a classic biodynamic work from 1947 is as relevant now as when first published. The book covers all aspects of biodynamic agriculture, including ideas on forestry and market gardening, and includes chapters on evidence of scientific findings of the effect of biodynamic growing, and the effects of biodynamics on health. The book has been faithfully reproduced as originally published, but footnotes have been added to describe modern versions of methods referenced in the text. (read more)
The Biodynamic Year: Increasing Yield, Quality and Flavour - 100 Helpful Tips for the Gardener or Smallholder
By Maria Thun
Maria Thun, a preeminent expert in biodynamic methods of cultivation, or "premium organic," has collected more than a hundred of her best gardening tips from fifty years' research. Join the author on a journey through the seasons and discover great new tips and suggestions. The Biodynamic Year ontains a wealth of advice for gardeners who wish to care for and manage nature more responsibly and successfully.
Discover:
- how to produce abundant and flavorful crops
- how special preparations can transform soil and plants
- how the moon affects planting and growth
- the difference between root, leaf, blossom, and fruit plants
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What is Biodynamic Wine? The Quality, the Taste, the Terroir
Nicolas Joly is responsible for producing some of the finest and most highly esteemed wines of France at his Coulee de Serrant vineyard. Practising the biodynamic method of agriculture - sometimes referred to as 'premium organic' - he is at the forefront of a movement to return to the concept of terroir, as full expression and embodiment of a particular grape-growing locality, or appelation. Today even expensive wines, made under strictly regulated controls and standards, are tainted by the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and manipulated in the cellar through the use of osmosis and the additions of aromatic yeasts and enzymes. To counter such trends, a new 'Charter of Quality', run by organic and biodynamic viticulturists, guarantees that the appelation comes to full, authentic expression (read more)
Principles of Biodynamic Spray and Compost Preparations
A renowned biodynamic expert, Klett provides a fascinating overview of the history of agriculture, then goes on to discuss the practicalities of spray and compost preparations and the philosophy behind them. This is essential reading for any biodynamic gardener or farmer who wants to understand the background to core biodynamic techniques. It is based on keynote talks given by Manfred Klett at Biodynamic Agricultural Association conferences. More
