Biodynamic Gardening

April 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

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