Under the Moon Gardening~

Rudolph Steiner still has a lot to teach in regards to wholistic farming- 

The whole farm – and garden – are regarded as one organism, the land, animals and people living in an interrelated system. Steiner called this “a holistic understanding of agricultural processes”.

The theories of biodynamics bring a spiritual aspect to gardening, emphasising the influence of invisible energies such as lunar cycles and their impact on growth. The farmer or gardener works by calendars and times of day when one does and does not do things. You should, for instance, always harvest leafy crops in the morning, and roots in the evening – apparently the flavours are better.

Biodynamic growers also use specially prepared tonics. One involves packing cow manure into hollow cow horns and burying it to rot down over the winter. Others are based on plant material, such as cammomile, nettles and yarrow; and another on crystals. Tablehurst Farm- Sussex

Cucumber & Kale- Illia’s garden 2016

I have developed a method of asking the seeds- starts- plants- trees…where they would like to be planted. I take some time to feel the vibration and requirements of the particular plant. This years kale has nicely shaded the first year thyme and chives. Paying attention to Sun cycles is obvious, yet what about the Moon? In my youth I remember the farmers keeping the root vegetables (especially potatoes) away from the light of the moon- harvesting near a new moon- and quickly getting the harvest in bags and undercover. Rudolph Steiner is still a great source of knowledge in regards to wholistic farming- farming under the Moon- understandings and methodology to provide in depth guidelines to our farming practice, no matter the size. I have received so much pleasure watching the plants grow, I have a chair for Sunrise and Sunset in the garden..observing the butterflies, bees & birds, noticing what they like, for next year- there is always next year.