Autumn is coming, and after the equinox the warmth and light start to recede into the soil. Many know this is the time to lime, sow cover crops, and add biodynamic compost and this is also the time of year to spray both 500 and 501 on the soil.

Applying preparations creates deeper soil and root depth, increases water holding capacity, (at a time when rains are usually diminishing) and improves plant health, yield and, importantly, flavour.

BAA makes it a simple, economical application with the Biodynamic Soil Activator, which contains all the preps including the much neglected Horn Silica (501).  A 30g pack, suitable for 1 acre is only $9 ($6 for Garden members).

Whether you are a member or non-member all products are available online (see the lefthand sidebar) or via the office (02) 6655 0566.

A soil spray of Biodynamic Soil Activator along with fermented equisetum (BD508) and 35% hydrogen peroxide dilution (one part per million) and an extra dose of Horn Silica (BD501) may be helpful. Rhythmically stir the 501 with the 8x 508 and the 35% hydrogen peroxide for 45 minutes and add the soil activator for the last 15 minutes of stirring.

Amounts

Home gardens– 1gm BD 501, 2 drops Fermented BD 508, 2 drops hydrogen peroxide and 30gm Biodynamic Soil Activator stirred in 13 litres water.

Farms -  2gm BD 501, 4 drops Fermented BD 508, 4 drops hydrogen peroxide and 75gm Biodynamic Soil Activator in 35 litres water/ha.

Biodynamic Soil Activator, which contains all the preps including the much neglected Horn Silica (501) is available in several sizes.  A 30g pack, suitable for 1 acre is only $9 ($6 for Garden members).  Horn silica also comes in a range of sizes and prices start at $7.20 for a non-member and fermented equisitum is also available.  (Remember there are significant discounts for members, so consider signing up here, if you aren’t already a member).

We wish you all the best in your recovery from flooding.

This preparation is made by stuffing cow horns with fine basalt dust and burying them over the six months of summer. Horn Basalt can be applied to a field as an atmospheric spray to increase the potency of any application of mineral basalt or rock dust. When used in this manner you will find that you will only need 10% of the basalt dust amendment to achieve the same results.

Application

Rhythmically stir 2gm of Horn Basalt in 35 litres warm water for one hour (as per Horn Silica (BD 501) and spray out into the atmosphere in a fine mist in the afternoon. Horn Basalt can also be stirred and sprayed out in the early morning with Horn Silica Summer Horn Clay and Fresh Equisetum (BD508).

Basalt dust used in agriculture has many advantages. It contains micro-nutrients, silicates, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorus and trace-elements essential to plant growth. Basalt dust is also paramagnetic with some samples being more paramagnetic than others.

Basalt dust recreates the glacier experience, for when the rocks are crumbled many enzymes are released as well as lots of trace elements and minerals. As we have not had this experience in Australia for some considerable geological time, rock dust is an important additive to our very leached and mineral depleted soils.

If you don’t wish to make your own, it is available to purchase either online or by calling the office on (02) 6655 0566

Director Shane Joyce suggests the following:

Director, Hugh Lovel adds to this:

Bathurst burrs thrive on compacted land that has degraded and is low in calcium as well as a variety of trace minerals which generally include sulphur, boron, copper, zinc and manganese, but can also include cobalt and molybdenum.

Find the cause or they will be back, and if not Bathurst burrs, something worse.  Apply preparations accordingly to repair the land.

As Shane suggests collect a cupful or so of seed and burn these to ash near full moon in a fire sign and collect the ash. If there a few contaminants (not seeds of plants you want) it doesn’t matter much.

Dilute and potentize in series, each one part in ten with water from the previous potency, from D1 to D6. Spray the D6 around the affected areas, again prior to full moon.

Repeat as necessary.

You may need our Resource Manual if you aren’t familiar with the the methods mentioned here.  (Provided free with membership, or $26.40 plus postage to non-members).

Follow us on facebook or twitter and we welcome your questions.

Congratulations to the following winners.
1 case of “Rosnay” current vintage wine from Sam Statham
Tom Goldschmidt, NSW A collection of 10 back copies of News Leaf journals from Biodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd
E Bobbbert & J Dymock, NSW A bottle of wine from Terra Rossa Viticultural Management Pty Ltd – Greg & Emma Koch
D Erba, QLD A pack including 1 CD, 1 book and 1 stationary set from dirtgirlworld
G Chester, WA 6 bottles of wine from Cape Jaffa – Anna Hooper
V McGarrigle, NSW 1 TC Energy Alladin Set from NTP Health Products – Jan & Lesley Goroncy
W Roesler & L Rose, SA A bottle of 2009 Cabernet Merlot from Cape Mentelle Vineyards at Margaret River
S Kelly, Qld Gift Voucher for organic body and skin care products from Miessence – Alf Orpen
I Clarke, VIC Olives and Oils from Lakeland’s Olives – Knut Kammann
R Birse, QLD Gift Voucher of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd preparations
J Doyle TAS
Sonett organic soaps & detergents from Helios Health & Beauty
J Goroncy, NSW 50 slips of “Monto” vetiver grass from Randolf Olsen & Louise Skidmore
W Eaton, QLD
20kg of “Sebago” Biodynamic potatoes available in March 2012 from Derek Smith
L Saarinen, NSW
A Magnum of “Church Block” wine from Wirra Wirra Vineyard
M Lamperd, WA
2 nights accommodation at “Bellingen’s Vintage Farmhouse” from Susan Weil
A Will, SA
Skin care by “Dr Hauschka” from Helios
C Routley, SA
]]> http://biodynamics.net.au/annual-raffle/feed/ 0 http://biodynamics.net.au/dirtgirlworld-competition-number-two/ http://biodynamics.net.au/dirtgirlworld-competition-number-two/#comments Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:39:28 +0000 cdooley http://biodynamics.net.au/?p=911 . . . → Read More: dirtgirlworld competition]]> You only have until 5pm on January 31st to put your entry in for the latest dirtgirlworld competition.  There are three dirtgirlworld books up for grabs.  Turn to page 35 of the Summer 2011 News Leaf for full competition details.

News Leaf is our quarterly journal, packed with information that supports biodynamic growers.  The latest edition includes articles on the air food web, chromatography and the uses of horn silica.

You can subscribe here.

“Wow – the effect of that hard prune on those stone fruits is amazing!  We had buckets of white nectarines first, and we’re just finishing the yellow nectarines now … but it is the white peaches that are most extraordinary.  Those branches are struggling to hold the weight of the fruit!

Thank you so much for making that happen.  I’m hopeless with photos, but if anyone has a photo of how dead-looking the trees looked after their pruning in the winter, their current state would be an inspiration …

Oh, and the second bunch of bananas in the veggie garden is ripening, and … best of all, one of the lady finger plants now has a bunch emerging!  Again, thanks to you, and to John.“

Would you like to attend a workshop?  Find out more here.

This is what you missed in the

November edition:

Hello and welcome to this first edition of “Between the Leaves”. This simple newsletter will keep you up to date between the quarterly News Leaf mailings, and enables us to put everything in one email so you don’t receive too much mail from us. We hope you enjoy it and your feedback is very welcome. Send it to marketing@biodynamics.net.au.

dirtgirlworld competition closes THIS FRIDAY 4^th November dirtgirlworld is Australia’s number one kid’s show about sustainability and we are thrilled that we now have a relationship with them so our members children can also enjoy getting grubby!

You may have seen this competition in the Spring News Leaf Issue #88 (Page 36) or on our website. There’s the chance to win one of 3 of the newly released “dig it!” CDs or one of 4 stationery packs consisting of a pad of 20 birthday party invitations and 5 birthday cards. To enter send your name, the name of the child you’d like to receive the prize and their age, your full postal address details and a phone number to bdnewsleaf@biodynamics.net.au or PO Box 54, Bellingen, NSW, 2454 by 5pm November 4^th, 2011. All entries will go into a barrel and the prizes will be drawn at 10am Tuesday 8^th November at our office in Bellingen, NSW. Prize winners will be notified within 48 hours of the draw and announced in Between the Leaves No 2

2011 Raffle – Request for Prizes

Our annual raffle is on again. This is the chance for everyone to contribute to our work and possibly win a prize! The annual raffle is BAA’s major fundraising event each year and has been a considerable help to our mission of spreading the biodynamic message.

Over the years many of our members have supported us with prizes from farm stays to beauty packs; canoe trips to flow forms and many exquisite wine packs from our biodynamic vignerons. Thank you so much to all who have contributed over the years.

We are putting together a list of prizes for this year and hope to get tickets out with the Summer News Leaf due to be posted out in the first week of December. Because of the Christmas holidays we will not be drawing the raffle until Friday January 20^th 2012.

If you have something special that you produce or offer to donate as a prize in this year’s raffle please contact us at the BD Office. We would like to have offers of donations in by Friday 11^th November 2011.

Sponsors will be mentioned in the News Leaf and on our Webpage.

BAA will again be offering prizes of preparations; free entry to a BAA workshop; books and back copies of News Leaf magazines.

We at the office are excitedly awaiting your generous donations!

We’re now on facebook and twitter!

Are you on facebook? If so you can now follow us. Go to http://www.facebook.com/BiodynamicAgAus and click on the “like” button. We’ll post breaking news, interesting articles, product specials and competition details.

If you tweet – follow us at http://www.twitter.com/BiodynamicAgAus

Biodynamic Soil Activator (formerly Biodynamic Pre-Mix)

This preparation was developed by Greg Willis in the USA for the treatment of badly degraded soil either from chemical use or erosion or compaction through stock or excess mechanical cultivation. It contains; in minute amounts; all of the biodynamic preparations – 500 to 508 as well as horn basalt; horn clay and crushed eggshells. These are pre-stirred twice during its manufacture, which is a form of potentisation.

Greg found that this was an excellent soil spray to use as the first spray when beginning with biodynamics. The effect is to sensitise or kick start the soil so that it becomes receptive to the other biodynamic sprays. In Greg’s words “It sets up the soil to receive the other biodynamic soil sprays much like a damp sponge will soak up more water than a dry sponge.”

Another advantage of the soil activator for the beginner is that it only needs to be rhythmically stirred for 20 minutes. This stirring is quite easily done by hand for small areas and lends itself to home garden situations. We also advise farmers who are interested in beginning a biodynamic program to start with soil activator around their home including their vegetable garden and home orchard and home paddock before they invest in the stirring and spraying equipment needed to cover large acreages.

Soil activator has many other uses other than a soil spray. It can be used as a foliar feed; as a seed bath; to spray on the bark of trees and vines; as a root dip before transplanting seedlings; shrubs or trees; in septic tanks or composting toilets to encourage beneficial fungi and bacteria and as a spray on manure piles or compost heaps that are being built slowly every time a new layer is added. Call the office on (02) 6655 0566 to order.

Best wishes to you all, Alan, Leonie, Cheryl and Glenys.