Biodynamic preparations in drought and heat

Parched meadows, cereals ripening too early, maize rolling up its leaves: in dry, hot summers the biodynamic preparations are urgently needed. But they only work if they are applied — making them together is not enough on its own. This article summarises how horn manure, barrel compost and horn silica are used in heat, and how to build up the soil in the long term so that it holds water. The practice goes back to Walter Stappung, author of Die Düngerpräparate Rudolf Steiners — Herstellung und Anwendung.

Horn manure in heat: as a mist on the leaf

Horn manure (500) can be sprayed onto the soil. In acute drought, however, it is more effective to spray the preparation onto the plants as a fine mist in the evening — or in the morning while there is still dew. That way the soil impulse reaches the crop where it is under stress.

In a home garden, adding clay to the horn manure can be an advantage in drought. On a larger scale this is more difficult: the tank contents have to be stirred constantly because the clay settles, and clay wears the nozzles.

Barrel compost on its own on the leaf

In heat, barrel compost can also be sprayed on the leaves by itself. Vitalised plants hold up better under difficult conditions. Stappung prefers barrel compost to individual compost preparations: instead of only chamomile or yarrow preparation — each of which is credited with improving drought resistance — barrel compost brings all the compost preparations onto the land together.

Horn silica only with enough water

Horn silica (501) strengthens the effect of light — and that is exactly what becomes a risk in drought. It should therefore only be applied when the plants have enough water or can be irrigated if needed; this caution goes back to Pierre Masson. A proven safeguard: spray horn manure shortly beforehand, for example the evening before, or together with the horn silica (after Hugh Lovel). This way the light impulse is balanced by the soil impulse.

Prevention: building a soil that holds water

The most effective protection against drought lies in the soil itself. Three levers work together:

• Cover the soil. Bare soil dries out and erodes. Catch crops and green manures keep it covered and full of roots.
• Build humus. Horn manure stimulates soil life and encourages root formation; deep roots reach water lying deeper down. The compost preparations — in the compost and brought onto the soil as barrel compost — encourage the formation of humus and clay minerals. Humus structures the soil and stores water.
• Make use of photosynthesis. Horn silica also helps the soil indirectly: it stimulates the plant to photosynthesise, and the plant passes a large share of the carbohydrates it produces on to soil life, which uses them to open up the soil and store water.

Heavy rain is also part of a destabilised climate. A porous, well-rooted soil with plenty of fungal mycelium soaks up water and holds its crumbs together instead of letting them be washed away. Rain also activates soil life — and horn manure can help here.

Quality is what counts

Stappung stresses that the quality of the preparations, the quality and temperature of the water and the way of stirring all influence effectiveness. An example from practice: a colleague stirred horn manure with warmed rainwater for the first time — and afterwards had no more erosion rills in the field. Observations like this are practical experience, not proof of effectiveness, but they show that careful work matters.

Frequently asked questions about preparations in drought

How is horn manure applied in heat?

In the evening as a fine mist on the plants, or in the morning with dew — in acute drought this works better than spraying the soil alone.

May I spray horn silica in drought?

Only if the plants have enough water or can be irrigated. Otherwise the light impulse intensifies the drought stress. A dose of horn manure the evening before or at the same time helps to balance it.

What helps against drought in the long term?

Building up the soil: cover with catch crops and green manure, humus building through horn manure and compost preparations. Soil rich in humus stores water and cushions heavy rain.

Conclusion

In heat, what counts is application, not making: horn manure as an evening mist, barrel compost on the leaf, horn silica only with enough water. Lasting protection comes from the soil — covered, rich in humus, deeply rooted. This way crops come through dry spells better, and the soil also absorbs heavy rain.