If you have explored natural approaches to gardening, you may have heard of biodynamics. Depending on how it’s described, it can sound either mystical or based on ancient farming wisdom.
To oversimplify, biodynamics is a century-old approach incorporating ecological practices that improve the vitality of the soil, as well as lunar cycle timetables that guide plant care.
Rudolf Steiner developed the practice of biodynamics in 1924. He is perhaps best known for founding the Waldorf School, yet he was tremendously prolific as a philosopher and lecturer. He penned 28 books and assorted papers on topics including clairvoyance, Nietzsche, Goethe, educational methods, and a philosophy he called anthroposophy (“fundamentally a study of the human being, our nature, development, and task,” according to the Sydney Rudolf Steiner College in Australia).
When the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides introduced after World War I raised concern among some farmers, Steiner was asked to lecture about a solution. It was prescient, as the dust bowl era just a few years later — brought on by drought and overtaxed soil — created devastating dust clouds that whipped through the Midwestern United States. Northern Europe also experienced a similar dust bowl phenomenon.
Steiner recommended a series of soil “preps” based on manure and herbs containing minerals known to enrich the soil: chamomile (potash and calcium), yarrow (sulphur), and stinging nettle (potassium and calcium). The broad brushstrokes align with soil science. Yet, Steiner stipulated that the preps be put in a cow horn or an animal organ and buried in the earth for the winter, when he viewed the celestial energies to be at their strongest. And this led some to question Steiner, while others saw merit in the agricultural output.
Steiner deemed the use of chemical fertilizers a deadened science and sought to return to what he referred to as peasant wisdom. Biodynamic and organic practices share many core concepts. Yet there’s a twist. Steiner called his approach spiritual-scientific and incorporated both special soil preps and cosmic influences. It wasn’t just a holistic approach to soil quality, but a sense of the celestial interplay at work.
He wrote, “The compost heap really contains ethereal and living elements and also astral.” He asked the farmers attending his lecture to initially keep its ideas secret. Steiner’s lecture notes mention that “as to the [non-participating] farmers — well, if they hear of these things from a fellow-farmer, they will say, ‘What a pity he has suddenly gone crazy!’. . . But eventually, when he sees a really good result, he will not feel a very easy conscience in rejecting it outright.”
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Gardening by the moon has been practiced for centuries. At first blush it may sound esoteric, but consider the way a full moon creates even higher tides. Seeds planted during the waxing cycle of the moon — as the moon becomes full — benefit from the lunar gravitational pull that increases the water table and is believed to aid germination.
If you’ve bought produce from Green Thumb in Water Mill or KK’s the Farm in Southold, or wine from Farrm Wines in Calverton, perhaps you’ve tasted the difference. They all apply biodynamic practices to their farming.
Rex Farr, owner of Farrm Wines, is drawn to biodynamics because of its tenet of farming by the moon. “It’s gravity and water. It’s the moon affecting the tides, and that’s how I look at my crops,” he said. “Every crop has a different timetable for water flow and the phases of the moon dictate the gravity. Steiner came up with an incredible method, wacky as he was.”
Mr. Farr uses a lunar timetable for crop planning and recognizes the deep history of the practice. “I’ve had workers in the field who would say ‘Hey boss, it’s time to plant.’ How did they know? And they would just point up. They came from a small village where they’ve been farming by the moon for centuries.”
Mr. Farr also applies several types of biodynamic preps. “If there’s a problem with the crop, the conventional farmer will go to the crop. The organic farmer will go to the soil to see what’s going on.” He considers the quality of his soil to be integral to his wine. “If wine is the essence of terroir, there is a difference. It feels right and I think you’re able to taste the difference in the wines.”
Judiann Carmack-Fayyaz, executive director of the FoodLab at Stony Brook University’s Southampton campus, appreciates the soil enhancements of biodynamics and has applied them to several of her projects over the years. At the Bridgehampton School, where she previously taught for 16 years, she worked with preps from Stephen Storch of Green Thumb. When they compared soil samples from locations around the school, the garden soil that had been treated biodynamically was richer.
“You could actually see the difference in soil quality and soil health,” she said.
At the FoodLab, Ms. Carmack-Fayyaz applied some biodynamic practices to a new garden plot that had previously been a soccer field.
“Dan Heston of Peconic Land Trust did the initial plowing and he just kept saying, ‘Oh my God, this is awful. This is awful.’ I thought, ‘It was just devoid of organic matter.’ ”
They’ve added manure and preps to enrich the soil and microbiome. The FoodLab includes coursework on soil science and farming. The classes aren’t focused on biodynamics, but include similar underlying science.
“I’ve always been passionate about growing and I really want to preserve our farming community out here,” Ms. Carmack-Fayyaz said.
Even if you don’t take a dive deep into biodynamics, some of its practices can easily be applied to improve your soil and garden. And, if you’re curious to try gardening by the moon, calendars are available that outline the timing for everything from planting seeds to harvesting.
Backyard composting is an easy way to enrich the soil. Instead of tossing your kitchen scraps into the garbage to spend their eternity in a landfill, consider compositing. Keep a quart-sized container in your sink and watch how quickly it fills up. Adding used coffee grounds to the mix will deter scavengers from the compost while adding natural nitrogen to the resulting garden food.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County offers soil testing to identify mineral deficiencies. Alternatively, simple home testing kits can measure pH, nitrogen, potash, and phosphorus. You may discover your soil doesn’t need an application of fertilizer, or it may inspire you to plant pollinator-friendly yarrow in your garden.
If you use a landscaper, ask for a list of what products are applied to your yard. Landscapers are typically praised for lush lawns, and are paid for the number of visits they make to a property. Given that up to 40 percent of nitrogen in fertilizer is not absorbed and becomes runoff in our watershed, it may be better for the ecology to revisit the plan. Harmful algae blooms thrive on nitrogen.
Biodynamics has remained in the lexicon of horticulture for more than a century and is still practiced around the world, speaking to its staying power. We may not exactly feel Steiner’s level of celestial connectedness: “In the apple you are eating Jupiter, in the plum you are actually eating Saturn.” Yet, it’s hard not to feel a sense of awe when considering a tiny seed will create fruits or vegetables that will nourish us.