Making biodynamic preparations yourself — the autumn work

Autumn is the central time for making the biodynamic preparations. While the last application of the year is under way on the land, the earth cycle begins in the soil, letting most of the preparations mature over winter. This article gives the overview: what is buried now, what is dug up — and which animal or plant sheath belongs to which preparation. The detailed recipes can be found in Eckard von Wistinghausen and Walter Stappung; here the focus is on the rhythm of the year.

What is buried in autumn

Several preparations are set up in autumn and entrusted to the earth over winter.

Horn manure 500

Cow horns are filled with cow manure and buried. Over winter the manure in the horn undergoes its transformation under the influence of the earth; it is dug up in spring. Horn manure is the soil preparation par excellence — the foundation of preparation work. Details in the article Horn manure 500 and on the sheath in Cow horn.

Yarrow 502

The yarrow preparation matures in the bladder of a stag. The bladder, filled with yarrow flowers in summer and hung out in the sun, is buried in autumn and stays in the ground over winter. More in Yarrow 502.

Chamomile 503

Dried chamomile flowers are filled into cattle intestines and buried in autumn. Over winter the chamomile preparation forms in the soil; it is dug up towards the end of winter. See Chamomile 503.

Dandelion 506

Dandelion flowers are packed into cattle mesentery and buried as balls in autumn. They too mature in the ground over winter. See Dandelion 506.

What is dug up in autumn

Horn silica 501

The horns filled with ground rock crystal in spring and buried over the summer are lifted in autumn. The silica preparation is best kept in the horn until it is used. More in Horn silica 501.

The special role of oak bark

The oak bark preparation (505) follows a rhythm of its own. The chopped oak bark is filled into the skull of a domestic animal — according to Wistinghausen, cattle, sheep, goat, pig or horse skulls are suitable. Protected by the bony cranium, the bark undergoes a process of putrefaction. The filled skull matures in a moist environment with water flowing through it — for example in mud or running water — and is taken out in spring, from the end of April to the beginning of May. In autumn, the oak bark is collected for this. More in Oak bark 505.

The making cycle at a glance

Stinging nettle (504), in turn, follows a path of its own: it is buried without an animal sheath and stays in the ground for around a year.

Frequently asked questions

Which preparations are buried in autumn?

Horn manure (500) in cow horns, yarrow (502) in the stag's bladder, chamomile (503) in cattle intestines and dandelion (506) in cattle mesentery — all mature in the ground over winter.

Which are dug up in autumn?

Horn silica (501), which has lain in the earth over the summer.

Which sheath belongs to the oak bark preparation?

The skull of a domestic animal — according to Wistinghausen, a cattle, sheep, goat, pig or horse skull. The cranium protects the bark during the process of putrefaction.

Do I need a separate animal for each preparation?

The animal sheaths come from slaughter; sheaths from your own farm or from organic husbandry are recommended. They must be of food quality or approved as fertiliser.

Conclusion

Autumn carries the making cycle: horn manure, yarrow, chamomile and dandelion go into the earth, horn silica comes out, and the oak bark follows its own water rhythm. Anyone who knows the yearly course of the sheaths and maturing times understands why preparation work is tied to fixed dates. The individual articles and the works of Wistinghausen and Stappung go deeper into the exact recipe for each preparation.