Spray Preparations
Prep 500 – Horn Manure
Horn manure preparation 500 is a manure concentrate.
Fresh cow manure buried in cow horns in fertile soil for Autumn and Winter, is transformed into a potent conditioner for soil and plants. Applied in Spring and Autumn. It is a living substance which helps build soil structure, stimulates microbial activity and the formation of humus, greatly improving the absorption and retention of water in the soil.
Used as part of a regular practice, it can help to regulate acidity, stimulate the growth of root systems to greater depths, increases the germination rate of seeds and helps to dissolve hard pans.
Use 30 to 100g of the horn manure preparation to about 30-100 L water per ha.
Stir and apply mid to late afternoon, or early evening when the shadows are long.
The Earth inhales during this time in a rhythmic process. Utilise the drawing down phase of the descending moon phase for optimal timing.
Prep 501 – Horn Silica
Preparation 501 is made by grinding quartz crystals (silicon oxide) to a fine powder. Mixed to a paste with water, it is inserted into a cow horn, and buried during the spring and summer months, and dug up in autumn.
Use at a rate of 2.5 g to 40L water.
Stir and spray as fine mist early morning when the air temperature is warming but before the sun is high and sooner than the dew has dried. 501 increases the quality of light and warmth and is associated with formative forces, ripening, flavours and aromas, and can also be used to help prevent fungal diseases. Apply to land that has previously received Horn manure 500 (see member’s booklet for other advice around timing of application around budding, flowering etc.).
See below for dynamising.
Biodynamic 508 Equisetum
Preparation 508, also known as Horsetail preparation, is one of the biodynamic spray preparations used in biodynamic agriculture and gardening. Here’s some more information about it:
Preparation Process
Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) plants are dried and then made into a tea.
Application
The horsetail preparation is typically used as a foliar spray during specific stages of plant growth or as part of compost preparations. It is diluted and applied in small amounts, often in homeopathic preparations, to ensure its energetic effects are present.
Purpose and Effects
The horsetail preparation is primarily used to control fungal diseases, enhance plant health, and promote overall vitality. When applied as a spray, it helps in the following ways:
- Fungal Disease Control: Horsetail contains natural compounds called silicates, which have fungicidal properties. The preparation acts as a natural fungicide, helping to control fungal infections in plants.
- Plant Health and Resilience: The spray strengthens plant tissues and enhances their resistance to diseases, pests, and environmental stresses.
- Soil Health: Horsetail preparation can contribute to improving soil structure and increasing the availability of silica, an essential mineral for plant growth.
- Stimulating Growth: It promotes the growth and development of plants, especially during the early stages.
Energetic Significance
Horsetail is associated with light and warmth, and it is believed to bring these qualities into the soil. It helps in harmonizing the forces of light and warmth with the forces of the Earth, contributing to the overall vitality and balance of the farm or garden.
C P P – Cow Pat Pit, also known as Barrel Compost
CPP is biodynamically treated aged cow manure containing calcium rich eggshells and basalt mineral dust. A good handful dissolved in warmed rain or spring water- is stirred for 20 minutes before being applied directly to soil or seedlings, as a foliar spray. CPP can also be added for the last twenty minutes of the Horn manure 500 stir. This will then become the carrier for the biodynamic compost preparations onto your land.
See below for dynamising.
Dynamizing the preparations:
Stirring or dynamizing either of these field preparations for a full hour is a wonderful activity for a group or family but can also be achieved by one person.
The dynamic interaction between the preparation and the water can be done in clean separate small buckets or in a larger container such as a wine barrel, copper tub or plastic drum. Individual buckets can be stirred using your hand or a stick or wooden spoon. A larger vessel will require more effort and therefore a suspended pole is recommended on a tripod over the barrel or attached to a frame / roof beam of an outdoor building.
Water quality is of the essence, consider the environment where it is gathered from. Rain and spring water are highly energised. Bore water has been in darkness and often stillness. If using treated water, leave to rest overnight to release gases. If possible, warm water to blood temperature. This helps activate the beneficial biology.
Stir from the outside of the container inward and clockwise until all the liquid is surging in one direction and then break the flow by reversing the stirring action anti clockwise to create ‘chaos’. Opening the surface area of the water allows aeration and other energetic forces to enter. Repeat for the whole hour. The water will become silky and ‘elastic’ as the preparation and oxygen is incorporated into the liquid.
The vortex created in the middle will become stronger as time goes by and will eventually remember the sequence. Find a pace that is active and rhythmic, without any pauses. It is a good idea to time yourself. You’ll be surprised how quickly an hour passes during this meditative and stimulating activity.
Application For smaller areas or with a team of people, a small hearth brush and pale are ideal (you can make brushes from bunching plant matter such as manuka, olive branches, lavender, or willow). Larger areas may need a clean backpack sprayer or a tractor sprayer with wide nozzle.
Each droplet radiates out so the spreading can be done at a walking pace, dipping, and flicking the droplets as you walk your land.
For pasture, it is good to spray after grazing or cutting. The preparation ideally falls as droplets (like rain) on bare soil that is moist and starting to warm up in spring or cool down in autumn.
If you can’t get to all areas of your land, apply around the periphery.
A pot-luck shared meal nourishes and strengthens social relationships and is a great way to finish the day.
It may sound like a lot of work but prepare to feel connected, energised, and uplifted.
Enjoy!
Compost Preparations
Biodynamic 502 Yarrow
Preparation 502, also known as Yarrow preparation, is one of the biodynamic compost preparations used in biodynamic agriculture and gardening. To learn more about biodynamic compost – check out this Harvests Educational Bundle: Compost 101.
Preparation Process
The yarrow flowers (Achillea millefolium) are harvested at a specific time during the flowering stage. They are then packed into the urinary bladder of a stag (male deer). The bladder is tied and hung in the summer elements, then buried in the ground over the winter season.
Application
The yarrow preparation is typically applied to a freshly made hot biodynamic compost or it can be added to CPP (cow pat pit).
Purpose and Effects
The yarrow preparation is primarily used to regulate plant nutrition and stimulate soil microorganisms. When applied via biodynamic compost or CPP, it helps in the following ways:
- Nutrient Regulation: Yarrow has the ability to accumulate potassium and sulfur from the atmosphere, making these nutrients more available to plants.
- Enhancing Compost: Adding yarrow preparation to compost helps to activate and accelerate the decomposition process, improving nutrient availability.
- Balancing Growth: The spray can help balance plant growth by harmonizing the relationship between water and silica in the plant, promoting healthy development.
- Disease Resistance: Yarrow has antimicrobial properties that can help plants resist fungal diseases.
Energetic Significance
In biodynamics, yarrow is believed to have a connection with the cosmos and helps to harmonize the forces of the cosmos with those of the Earth, contributing to the overall balance and vitality of the farm or garden.
Biodynamic 503 Chamomile
Preparation 503, also known as Chamomile preparation, is one of the biodynamic compost preparations used in biodynamic agriculture and gardening. To learn more about biodynamic compost – check out this Harvests Educational Bundle: Compost 101.
Preparation Process
Chamomile flowers (Matricaria chamomilla) are harvested at a specific time during their flowering stage. They are kept whole to maintain the vitality of the flower, then packed into the small intestine of a cow, sheep, or pig. The intestine is tied and buried in the ground over the winter season.
Application
The chamomile preparation is typically applied to a freshly made hot biodynamic compost or it can be added to CPP (cow pat pit).
Purpose and Effects
The chamomile preparation is primarily used to promote plant health and regulate the decomposition process. When applied as a spray, it helps in the following ways:
- Disease Resistance: Chamomile has antimicrobial properties and is known to suppress fungal diseases, helping plants resist infections.
- Enhancing Decomposition: The spray aids in the breakdown of organic matter, assisting in the decomposition process and nutrient cycling.
- Promoting Plant Vitality: Chamomile preparation stimulates the activity of soil microorganisms, enhancing soil health and nutrient availability for plants.
- Soil Structure: The presence of chamomile preparation can help improve soil structure and aggregation, leading to better water infiltration and root development.
Energetic Significance
Chamomile is considered to have a connection with the sun and warmth. It is believed to bring the dynamic forces of the sun into the soil, contributing to the overall vitality and balance of the farm or garden.
Biodynamic 504 Stinging Nettle
Preparation 504, also known as Stinging Nettle preparation, is one of the biodynamic compost preparations used in biodynamic agriculture and gardening. To learn more about biodynamic compost – check out this Harvests Educational Bundle: Compost 101.
Preparation Process
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) plants are harvested when they reach a certain stage of growth. The whole plant, including stems and leaves, is chopped and packed into a container such as a clay pot. This container is then buried in the ground for a full 12 months to take on both the summer and winter influences.
Application
The stinging nettle preparation is typically applied to a freshly made hot biodynamic compost or it can be added to CPP (cow pat pit).
Purpose and Effects
The stinging nettle preparation is primarily used to stimulate soil life, improve plant nutrition, and enhance overall vitality. When applied as a spray, it helps in the following ways:
- Soil Fertility: Stinging nettle contains a wide range of nutrients, including nitrogen, which is essential for plant growth. The spray helps to increase nutrient availability in the soil.
- Microbial Activation: The preparation stimulates the activity of beneficial soil microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, promoting a healthy soil ecosystem.
- Plant Nutrition: Stinging nettle preparation helps to improve the nutrient uptake of plants, enhancing their growth, resilience, and nutrient content.
- Disease Resistance: It can help plants build resistance against pests and diseases by promoting their overall health and vitality.
Energetic Significance
Stinging nettle is considered to have a strong connection with the Earth and its mineral forces. It brings dynamic qualities to the soil and fosters a balanced exchange between the forces of the Earth and the plant.
Biodynamic 505 Oak Bark
Preparation 505, also known as Oak Bark preparation, is one of the biodynamic compost preparations used in biodynamic agriculture and gardening. To learn more about biodynamic compost – check out this Harvests Educational Bundle: Compost 101.
Preparation Process
Oak bark (Quercus spp.) is collected from oak trees during a specific time of the year. The bark is finely chopped and packed into a skull of a domesticated animal. This container is then buried in a wet and watery environment in the ground over the winter season.
Application
The oak bark preparation is typically applied to a freshly made hot biodynamic compost or it can be added to CPP (cow pat pit).
Purpose and Effects
The oak bark preparation is primarily used to regulate the calcium balance in the soil and enhance overall plant health. When applied as a spray, it helps in the following ways:
- Calcium Regulation: Oak bark is rich in calcium, and the preparation helps to harmonize and balance the calcium levels in the soil. This is important for proper plant development and nutrient uptake.
- Disease Prevention: The spray can contribute to disease prevention by promoting strong cell walls in plants, making them less susceptible to certain diseases and pests.
- Plant Nutrition: The oak bark preparation aids in improving nutrient availability in the soil, particularly calcium, which is essential for various plant functions.
Energetic Significance
Oak is associated with strength, resilience, and longevity. The oak bark preparation is believed to bring these qualities into the farming or gardening system, promoting the overall vitality and longevity of plants.
Biodynamic 506 Dandelion
Preparation 506, also known as Dandelion preparation, is one of the biodynamic compost preparations used in biodynamic agriculture and gardening. To learn more about biodynamic compost – check out this Harvests Educational Bundle: Compost 101.
Preparation Process
Dandelion flowers (Taraxacum officinale) are collected when they are in early bloom (before fertilisation takes place). The flowers packed into a parcel of the internal cows stomach membrane the bovine mesentery (peritoneum) not the intestine. The intestine is then tied and buried in the ground over the winter season.
Application
The dandelion preparation is typically applied to a freshly made hot biodynamic compost or it can be added to CPP (cow pat pit).
Purpose and Effects
The dandelion preparation is primarily used to support soil life, enhance overall plant development, and improve soil vitality. When applied as a spray, it helps in the following ways:
- Soil Fertility: Dandelion contains nutrients such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium. The spray helps in releasing and making these nutrients more available to plants.
- Microbial Activation: The preparation stimulates the activity of beneficial soil microorganisms, improving soil health, nutrient cycling, and overall ecosystem balance.
- Root Development: Dandelion preparation promotes root growth and development, leading to stronger and more resilient plants.
- Soil Vitality: It contributes to the overall vitality and energy of the soil, creating a fertile environment for plant growth.
Energetic Significance
Dandelion is associated with the forces of air and light. The dandelion preparation is believed to bring these qualities into the soil, enhancing the dynamic interplay between the Earth and cosmic forces, and promoting the vitality and balance of the farming or gardening system.
Biodynamic 507 Valerian
Preparation 507, also known as Valerian preparation, is one of the biodynamic compost preparations used in biodynamic agriculture and gardening. To learn more about biodynamic compost – check out this Harvests Educational Bundle: Compost 101.
Preparation Process
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) flowers are harvested at full bloom. The flowers are collected and made into a juice or tea extracted in rain water, then this is stored until needed.
Application
The valerian preparation is typically applied to a freshly made hot biodynamic compost or it can be added to CPP (cow pat pit)
Purpose and Effects
The valerian preparation is primarily used to encourage root development, enhance soil vitality, and support overall plant growth. When applied as a spray, it helps in the following ways:
- Root Stimulation: Valerian preparation supports and stimulates root growth, leading to stronger, more extensive root systems.
- Soil Health: The spray enhances the microbial activity and overall vitality of the soil, creating a fertile environment for plants to thrive.
- Nutrient Uptake: Valerian preparation aids in improving the absorption and utilization of nutrients by plants, promoting their growth and overall health.
- Drought Resistance: It can contribute to enhancing the water-holding capacity of the soil and improving plants’ ability to withstand periods of drought.
Energetic Significance
Valerian is associated with the forces of warmth and life. The valerian preparation is believed to bring these qualities into the soil, fostering a dynamic interplay between the forces of the Earth and the life forces present, promoting the overall vitality and balance of the farming or gardening system.