After we bought our farm five years ago I became interested in bio-dynamic gardening. It actually was a side bar of Waldorf-an innovative child rearing philosophy.
Since I was "going organic" I explored (and still do) all options. Bio-dynamic gardening includes what my grandpa would say planting by the moon. Actually, there is much more involved than the moon, but that's the simple version.
And, in addition to planetary influences, there is a specific fertilization method unique to bio-dynamics. So, being the fair minded person that I am, I thought I'd give it a try.
Not being of unlimited funds, I felt I didn't have the money to splurge on new untried fertilizing techniques. But, since I was quasi-knowledgeable about planting by the moon, I decided to give it go. That first planting calendar guide was a gift, so I had no initial cash outlay. Fit right into my budget.
In addition to my "field" gardens I have several raised beds. LOVE THOSE RAISED BEDS. So, I decided to try out this new-fangled idea o(with underpinnings of the way our ancestors dn my spinach.
I planted every other row by the bio-dynamic calendar plant days and skeptically waited. And, waited. Waiting for a seed to sprout is paramount to watching and waiting for a pot to boil.
After a few weeks, the spinach was up and ready to be picked. Here's a photo of the results.
Since I was "going organic" I explored (and still do) all options. Bio-dynamic gardening includes what my grandpa would say planting by the moon. Actually, there is much more involved than the moon, but that's the simple version.
And, in addition to planetary influences, there is a specific fertilization method unique to bio-dynamics. So, being the fair minded person that I am, I thought I'd give it a try.
Not being of unlimited funds, I felt I didn't have the money to splurge on new untried fertilizing techniques. But, since I was quasi-knowledgeable about planting by the moon, I decided to give it go. That first planting calendar guide was a gift, so I had no initial cash outlay. Fit right into my budget.
In addition to my "field" gardens I have several raised beds. LOVE THOSE RAISED BEDS. So, I decided to try out this new-fangled idea o(with underpinnings of the way our ancestors dn my spinach.
I planted every other row by the bio-dynamic calendar plant days and skeptically waited. And, waited. Waiting for a seed to sprout is paramount to watching and waiting for a pot to boil.
After a few weeks, the spinach was up and ready to be picked. Here's a photo of the results.
Clearly, the bio-dynamic plantings are more robust, larger, fuller, healthier. Now this is REAL FOOD.
This was enough to convince me that is is worth the time and effort to plant by the moon! (bio-dynamically) So, I have purchased the planting calendar every year and pains-takingly plot out when to plant what.
It takes a LOT more time and planning, but as you can see by the photos, it's well worth the effort.
Here is a link to a conference that sounds just YUMMY interesting.
This was enough to convince me that is is worth the time and effort to plant by the moon! (bio-dynamically) So, I have purchased the planting calendar every year and pains-takingly plot out when to plant what.
It takes a LOT more time and planning, but as you can see by the photos, it's well worth the effort.
Here is a link to a conference that sounds just YUMMY interesting.