Biodynamic Gardening: Grow Healthy Plants and Amazing Produce

by DK

Overview

Whether you're just getting started in biodynamic gardening, or you're an experienced biodynamic farmer wanting to learn more, Biodynamic Gardening is the right resource for learning more about the biodynamic method of organic gardening. This clear, practical guide gives you tried-and-true advice on biodynamic gardening and tips on this ultra-green, organic gardening method. Full-color photographs and easy-to-understand charts and graphs are helpful tools in organizing information in a way anyone can understand and use in biodynamic gardening.

Biodynamic gardening makes use of natural cycles and mindful planting to take organic gardening to the next level, and Biodynamic Gardening covers everything. Topics include soil preparations, lunar charts, composting, cycles of rest, rich and healthy soil, organically controlling pests, ripening plants, and more. Grow delicious vegetables and healthy food, or grow beautiful blooms and flowers with the information you'll find in Biodynamic Gardening.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781465429865
Publisher:	DK
Publication date:	04/07/2015
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	1,073,791
Product dimensions:	7.60(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

DK was founded in London in 1974 and is now the world leading illustrated reference publisher and a member of the Penguin Random House division of Bertelsmann. DK publishes highly visual, photographic non-fiction for adults and children. DK produces content for consumers in over 100 countries and over 60 languages, with offices in the UK, India, US, Germany, China, Canada, Spain and Australia.

DK's aim is to inspire, educate and entertain readers of all ages, and everything DK publishes, whether print or digital, embodies the unique DK design approach. DK brings unrivalled clarity to a wide range of topics, with a unique combination of words and pictures, put together to spectacular effect. We have a reputation for innovation in design for both print and digital products.

Our adult range spans travel, including the award-winning DK Eyewitness Travel Guides, history, science, nature, sport, gardening, cookery and parenting. 

DK’s extensive children’s list showcases a fantastic store of information for children, toddlers and babies. DK covers everything from animals and the human body, to homework help and craft activities, together with an impressive list of licensing titles, including the best-selling LEGO® books.

DK acts as the parent company for Alpha Books, publisher of the Idiot's Guides series.

https://www.dk.com/

Table of Contents

Introduction 10

The organic way

Know your garden 14

Making compost 18

Water wisely 20

Welcoming wildlife 22

Companion planting 24

Seed saving 26

Natural remedies 28

Compost tea 40

Weed tea 42

The biodynamic approach

Tuning in to nature 46

How the biodynamic movement began 58

How to dynamize biodynamic sprays 60

Nine biodynamic preparations 62

The 9 preps explained 64

Horn manure 500 66

Horn silica 501 74

Equisetum 508 82

Yarrow 502 86

Chamomile 503 92

Nettle 504 98

Oak bark 505 102

Dandelion 506 108

Valerian 507 114

Storing the preps 120

Making a biodynamic compost heap 122

Making barrel compost 126

Tree paste 132

Enhance your liquid manures 136

Making weed pepper 138

Biodynamic garden planner

The gardening year 142

Know your plants and what they need 144

Crop finder 146

Root days 150

Onions 154

Shallots 155

Garlic 156

Leeks 157

Green onions 158

Welsh onions and Japanese bunching onions 159

Potatoes 160

Sweet potatoes 161

Beets 162

Rutabagas 163

Radishes 164

Celeriac 165

Parsnips 166

Carrots 167

Turnips 168

Salsify 169

Horseradish 170

Jerusalem artichokes 171

Flower days 172

Cauliflower 176

Broccoli 177

Broccoli sprouts 178

Globe artichokes 179

Leaf days 180

Cabbage 184

Brussels sprouts 185

Swiss chard and spinach beet 186

Napa cabbage 187

Bok choy 188

Chinese broccoli 189

Kohlrabi 190

Mustard greens 191

Spinach 192

Kale 193

Celery 194

Florence fennel 195

Arugula 196

Lettuce 197

Corn salad 198

Endive 199

Chicory 200

Red orach 201

Radicchio 202

Asparagus 203

Rhubarb 204

Sea kale 205

Fruit days 206

Peas 210

Runner beans 211

Green beans 212

Broad beans 213

Lima beans and soybeans 214

Zucchini and summer squash 215

Cucumbers and gherkins 216

Marrows 217

Pumpkins and winter squash 218

Tomatoes 219

Sweet peppers and chili peppers 220

Eggplant 221

Sweet corn 222

Okra 223

Tomatillos 224

Strawberries 225

Raspberries 226

Blackberries and hybrid berries 227

Gooseberries 228

Blackcurrants 229

Red currants and white currants 230

Blueberries 231

Cranberries 232

Melons 233

Apples 234

Pears 235

Sweet cherries 236

Tart cherries 237

Plums, gages, and damsons 238

Peaches and nectarines 239

Apricots 240

Figs 241

Citrus fruits 242

Grapevines 243

Biodynamic prep calendar 244

Resources 246

Index 248

Acknowledgments 253

Editorial Reviews

"Award-winning wine writer Monty Waldin brings his experience developing biodynamic vineyards in Europe and North America to this rich reference." — Library Journal

From the Publisher

04/15/2015
Many gardeners are probably familiar with the uses of blood or bone meal in the garden, but what about pig skulls or cow horns? Award-winning wine writer Monty Waldin brings his experience developing biodynamic vineyards in Europe and North America to this rich reference. Each page contains detailed color photographs outlining concepts in three sections: "The Organic Way," "The Biodynamic Approach," and "The Biodynamic Garden Planner." Gardeners will not only learn key organic and green principles such as companion planting and crop rotation, they will also discover how to garden in tune with natural earth rhythms as well as lunar and celestial cycles. Waldin includes recipes for nine biodynamic preparations for the garden (here's where the bones come in) and prescriptions for natural remedies, compost, and even seed starting mix. The volume includes a "Biodynamic Prep Calendar" to chart which garden tasks should be performed on certain days. In-depth plant profiles include instructions for site and soil preparation, harvesting and storage, troubleshooting, companion planting, and growing for and collecting seeds. VERDICT For people with an interest in environmentally aware gardening and a willingness to experiment with nontraditional methods.—Venessa Hughes, Buffalo, NY

Library Journal