Gardening Biodynamically

When I tell people I'm a biodynamic gardener, they inevitably ask ‘So what is biodynamics?' Sometimes I reply by launching into the story of its origins, how biodynamics is a method of agriculture devised by Rudolf Steiner in the 1920s, in answer to farmers' concerns about failing health and vitality in their animals and crops.

At other times I may start by describing our biodynamic methods: how we are organic by using no chemical fertilisers or sprays, how we increase soil health and fertility naturally, and how we have biodynamic ‘tools' such as our compost preparations to help us in building up a healthy biodynamic farm or garden.

But mostly I introduce biodynamics by saying that it requires that I look beyond the immediate plants and soil in front of me and lift my thinking to the effects of the wider environment - to the trees, to the neighbourhood, to the earth as a whole and out to the sun, moon and all the other planets in our solar ‘neighbourhood'; and then even further out to the band of zodiac stars that surround our solar system.

We all accept the obvious effects that the sun has on our life here on earth - the rhythms of night and day, the seasons of the year - and we're aware of how the moon affects the water here on earth - most visible with the tides, but also working on the water in plants, the soil and in us!

So why do we find it such a crazy notion that the other planets in our solar system have equally strong effects on life here on earth? Simply because they're not so easily visible - not so much ‘in our faces'. But the effects are there and we work with these life-giving forces in biodynamics with the aim of enhancing the life in our gardens and farms in a bid to facilitate the healing that our depleted planet needs so desperately.

So by growing biodynamic plants for use in Weleda medicines and bodycare, I know I'm growing the best, most ‘life-filled' ingredients that I can.

Another question I'm often asked is ‘Do you use Weleda products?'

Of course I do!

As a gardener I suffer the inevitable aches and pains after a day's digging or planting, and I've found that Weleda's Massage Balm with Arnica works a treat. I use it after an evening shower or bath and wake up ache free and raring to go! Hand and skin care is also essential for someone out in all weathers. I've routinely used our Sea Buckthorn Hand Cream for years but am now being tempted by the new Pomegranate Regenerating Hand Cream - it's just as effective but smells even nicer! Weleda's Skin Food also does a great ‘repair job' after a particularly heavy day at work.

People often say to me, ‘Oh, it must be a lovely job, working in a herb garden, harvesting all those beautiful flowers...' Well, yes, it is lovely but you wouldn't believe how heavy a bag of calendula flowers gets when you have to harvest a whole field full!

Claire Hattersley, Weleda gardener

Photos (c) Weleda 2010

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