Biodynamic preparations through the year — the twelve monthly guides
What is due month by month — applying and making the biodynamic preparations from January to December, concise and backed by sources.
Biodynamic preparation work follows the course of the year: in the summer half-year horn manure and horn silica set the pace on the land, in autumn the making cycle begins in the soil, and in winter almost everything rests except frost protection. This series sums up, month by month, what is due in application and making — as a reliable reminder for the farm and the garden. The detailed basics are in the articles on applying the preparations, stirring the preparations and the individual preparations.
Two rules of thumb carry through the year: horn manure (500) is the soil impulse, horn silica (501) the light impulse — and weather and soil condition always come before the calendar.
The twelve monthly guides
- Biodynamic preparations in January
- Biodynamic preparations in February
- Biodynamic preparations in March
- Biodynamic preparations in April
- Biodynamic preparations in May
- Biodynamic preparations in June
- Biodynamic preparations in July
- Biodynamic preparations in August
- Biodynamic preparations in September
- Biodynamic preparations in October
- Biodynamic preparations in November
- Biodynamic preparations in December
Frequently asked questions
When is horn manure applied, and when horn silica?
Horn manure (500) accompanies the soil impulse — spring and autumn, at sowing, planting and cultivation. Horn silica (501) accompanies the light impulse — on the vigorous, green crop, from leaf formation to ripening. In the course of the year the soil impulse comes first, and the light impulse follows around two weeks later.
Which preparations are used in winter?
Above all valerian (507) as frost protection, horsetail (508) preventively on the soil and the compost preparations when turning the compost. The field spray preparations rest.
When are the preparations made?
The making cycle is concentrated in autumn (burying) and spring (digging up). In summer, plants are collected and dried, and the yarrow is hung out in the stag's bladder. Details in the article Making biodynamic preparations in autumn.
Do I have to keep to every monthly date exactly?
No. The monthly entries are reminders, not rigid deadlines. The crop's stage of development, the weather and the soil condition decide — the calendar just brings together the favourable time windows.