Biodynamic Gardening Notes 8 - 14 February

With the full moon at 07:53 on Wednesday the 8th, we have entered the waning moon, the time between full moon and new moon. The moon is also ascending this week – The earth breathes out. We see this as growth activity above the soil. Growth forces and saps flow upwards more strongly and increase the plants vitality. This is the time to spray horn silica preparation 501, cultivate at the appropriate constellation before sowing, harvest on an air constellation plants for medicinal purposes, flowers and plants for preparation making and field crops such as silage and hay (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 51-53).

We will continue weeding, especially in the perennial beds, preparing the beds for an autumn application of compost and also reducing the weed seeds that will fall.

You can try seeding your autumn/winter root crops when the moon is in an earth sign on Saturday 11th. Crops that can be sown now are beetroot, carrots, parsnips, rutabega and turnips.

The Perigee of the Moon (when the moon is closest to the earth) occurs on Sunday, February 12 at 04:33. Perigee brings greater moisture and a tendency towards fungal growth. Keep a close eye on those plants prone to blights and mildews (tomatoes, zucchini, squash, cucumbers, grapes, capsicum, eggplant).

Casuarina tea, seaweed brew and witch’s brew give support to the plants and help them to overcome any fungus, mildews and/or rusts which may be starting.  A tea made with fresh Casuarina (She-Oak) needles is useful to tighten the fluids in the plant, balance the water in the plant and prevent fungal infestation such as mildews, rusts and molds.

We will also continue to use a seaweed brew to help our plants reach optimum health which in itself can increase their resistance to pests and diseases. Seaweed contains 14 Amino acids and over 60 trace elements and minerals.

This week’s gardening notes start off in a leaf sign, turning into a fire sign on Wednesday 8 around 18:52. Warmth or fire signs are favourable for fruit plants.  These include all plants whose seed fruit we harvest: beans, peas, grains, cucumbers, squashes, lentils, corn, capsicums, rice, soya, tomatoes, zucchini, strawberries and fruit trees.

The moon then moves into an earth sign on Friday at 21:25.  Earth signs are favourable for root plants. These included all plants whose roots we harvest: carrots, beetroot, celeriac, swedes, potatoes, turnips, parsnips and onions.

Finally on Sunday at 23:29, the moon moves into an air sign which is favourable for flower plants. These include all the plants which are grown for their flowers, and where we want a long flowering time: garden flowers, medicinal and preparation flowers, bulbs and broccoli.

-Gardening Notes are compiled using Brian Keats Antipodean Astro Calendar; Maria Thun’s Gardening for Life; Biodynamic Agriculture Australia’s Biodynamic Resource Manual; Peter Cundall’s The Practical Australian Gardener; Louise Riotte’s Astrological Gardening; and the experiences and farm practices on Transition Farm

Links for more information

For more information about our Biodynamic Gardening Notes, visit our previous post About our Biodynamic Notes.

For more information about liquid brews for plant health, visit our Seasonal Notes page and click the tag “liquid brews” .

For more information about Biodynamics and to purchase biodynamic preparations, I know of three organisations in Australia:

Demeter Biodynamics at http://www.demeter.org.au/index.htm

Biodynamic Agriculture Australia at http://www.biodynamics.net.au

Australia Biodynamic- Victoria Inc.  at http://www.biodynamicsvictoria.org/

For more information about the Antipodean Astro Calendar, Biodynamic Planting and research and more visit Brian Keats’ website at http://astro-calendar.com/index.htm.