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Biodynamic Gardening - Planting by the Phases of the Moon
Modern biodynamic gardening is a combination of two European agricultural methods that were developed during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The first, French intensive farming, lent the use of cloches, or glass domes, to serve as miniature green houses and lengthen the growing season. Some other techniques adopted from French intensive farming were planting crops very close to one another to prevent weeds and water evaporation, and using readily available organic fertilizer (horse manure). French intensive farmers reportedly grew up to nine crops each year using these methods.
The second more influential contributor was the Austrian author and philosopher Rudolph Steiner, who coined the term "biodynamic gardening." Steiner traced crop diseases, insect problems and the decline of nutritional content in produce to the introduction of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. He campaigned for a return to more earth-friendly, sustainable farming methods that included the use of only organic fertilizers, and the planting of nitrogen fixing plants to prevent soil depletion.
He also began a movement to scientifically study companion planting. For centuries farmers and gardeners have planted certain plants next to one another because they are mutually beneficial. Steiner’s followers determined that companion planting was more than a superstitious farming tradition and documented which plants were beneficial to one another and which plants were not.
At the core of Steiner’s biodynamic philosophy is the controversial idea that lunar phases affect plant growth. Biodynamic gardeners contend that the same lunar forces that cause oceanic tidal changes effect plant root and foliage development.
Here’s how it works. Lunar gravitational and light forces fluctuate throughout the twenty-eight day lunar cycle. As the moon waxes or becomes brighter each consecutive night conditions become more favorable for foliage growth in plants. The other variable that changes as the moon cycles is relative gravitational pull between the earth and the moon. This is the same force that is known to cause oceanic tidal changes. As lunar gravity decreases plant roots are stimulated, and as lunar gravity increases root development slows.
Biodynamic gardeners plant most flower, fruit and vegetable seeds two days prior to a new moon. This is considered the ideal time because light and gravitational conditions during seven days following new moon become increasingly favorable for the development of roots and plant foliage. The moon shines a bit brighter and lunar gravity increases a little each day giving young plants an early boost.
The next seven days of the lunar cycle precede a full moon. The moon continues to appear larger each night emitting a little bit more foliage stimulating light. Simultaneously, conditions are becoming less favorable for rapid root growth as lunar gravitational force increases. This is the part of the cycle during which young plant foliage begins to flourish and roots rest.
Seven days following a full moon the trend is reversed. The moon begins to wane or emit a bit less night each night. Less moonlight results in slowed foliage development. At the same time lunar gravity is decreasing again and roots now have a chance to flourish while foliage rests. This is considered the best time to transplant seedlings with minimal root shock.
During the last seven days of the lunar cycle the moon continues to wane and lunar gravitational forces increase again. As a result both roots and foliage slow down and rest until the arrival of the next new moon when the next cycle begins again.
Try testing biodynamic methods in your own back yard. Sow a few seeds two days prior to a new moon and plant some of the same seeds a two weeks later. Compare your biodynamic and conventional harvests. Notice any subtle differences? If you’re interested in learning more about biodynamic farming methods visit the American Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association at www.biodynamics.com. There is a wealth of information on biodynamic growing methods practiced in over 25 countries throughout five continents.
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