Timeline
There are different types of preps that can be used within the soil to enliven and replenish the nutrients within it. Here are the preps that can be applied to the compost:
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Yarrow: flowers in animal casing
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contains sulfur and potassium that supports the growth process
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Chamomile: flowers in animal casing
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stabilizes nitrogen within the soil
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Stinging Nettle: leaves buried in the Earth
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contains potassium, calcium, and iron to help the plants seek nutrition
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Oak Bark: bark in animal casing
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contains bark that helps heals and prevents disease within plants
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Dandelion: flowers in animal casing
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contains silica and potassium which attract the cosmic forces to the soil
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Valerian: sun-infused flowers
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contains phosphorus which provides warmth to the plant
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These preps are the most common and are used within the compost to prep it. The best type of compost to use is one which uses things made from the biology of the soil. In this way the nutrients of the soil is replenished. So, each compost pile would be designed for each individual farm/ garden, from that farm/garden. These biodynamic preps are herbs which can also be used in the healing of organisms.
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There are also field preparations that can be used in the soil of the fields which include the following:
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Horn Manure
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cows are the most fertile animal on the farm, because they have four stomachs, they make a wealth of enzymes and bacteria that is then placed in a cow horn and buried for the winter
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Horn Silica
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crushed clear quarts crystal that is sprayed with water and buried of the summer and this sets up the soil for high plant growth ​
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Capstone Project Goals
Biodynamic Preps
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Research and learn about biodynamics
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preps, calendar, and practices ​
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Implement preps and practices in the campus garden
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Develop compost operations (aka Operation Compost)
Pfeiffer Center Workshops in April & May
Follow us on our journey to make a difference! Here is our timeline for our internship with Pfeiffer, so you can keep up on
the progress!
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Feb 16th: Visited Pfeiffer Center
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Week of 2/19: Update Blog
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Week of 2/26: Research Biodynamic Preps
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Week of 3/5: SPRING BREAK
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Week of 3/12: Research practices for campus garden
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Week of 3/19: Update Blog
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Week of 3/26: Promote Pfeiffer Events and continue research
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March 30: Purchased Perp Josephine Porter Institute
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April 1: Preps stored in Bernardsville, NJ
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Week of 4/2: Learn about BD Calendar for next week
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Week of 4/9: Research: calendar
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Week of 4/16: Research: prep storage
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Week of 4/23: Update Website for seamless handover
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Week of 5/2: Biodynamic Team Presentation
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Week of 5/9: Remaining Team Presentations
Professor Knapik bought the preps from the Josephine Porter Institute and she will be traveling to pick them up next week while we are on Easter Break. Because she has the preps that we are going to use over a set period of time we looked into how we should store them the correct way. We used the Biodynamic Services and the Josephine Porter Institute website to gather information on proper procedures.
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There were some general warnings listed to keep in mind when storing the biodynamic preps:
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do not letting the preps come in contact with any other substances (like the peat or dust)
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keep the preps away from electronic and electric circuitry (at least 8ft away)
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keep the preps away from noxious gas
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After learning about the warnings we looked into the storage itself. Overall, all of the preps need to be stored in a peat-lined box, which is a wooden box that has about 6cm of dried peat to protect and insulate the preps. This is why it's important that the preps do not come in direct contact with peat! Now that we have identified
a box for the preps we can talk about the containers within the box. All of the preps
can be stored in glass contains if that is all that is available. However, we can get
more specific in how the different preps are stored. For preps 500 and 503-6 there
are a variety of containers that you can choose from (including glass) such as:
glazed ceramic crocks or unglazed clay container. Preps 501 and 508-9 MUST be
stored in glass containers. There was mixed information on whether or not the
containers should have lids. One of the sources said that the containers don't need
lids inside the peat-lined box and the other sources said that the containers should
have loose fitting lids. I thought one good point was when the source relayed the idea
that the preps are a living thing so they should be able to breathe.
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We also need to think about where we are going to physically store the box (or
boxes) of preps. Preps 500 and 503-6 should be stored in places that are cool and
away from excessive light such as a root cellar, old well house, or shaded outbuilding.
The chart to the right breaks down how preps 501, 508, and 509 need to be stored
since they have different storage needs than the previously mentioned preps. Their
needs are very specific, so it is important to follow them exactly in order for them to work effectively.
Biodynamic Calendar
The biodynamic calendar is very overwhelming at first glace. That is without a doubt. Through research, we have actually broken down the calendar and have come to understand it more and more, as time went on. On the calendar, there are a series of columns. Each column means something very important. Usually, in a biodynamic calendar, there is a column that has the date. So, the first step in using the calendar is to find the date of the particular day in which you will be planting. There will also be a series of columns dedicated to the hour in which you should be planting. Those will be color-coded. There will also be a column dedicated to what part of the plant will be benefiting the most according to the lunar cycle. By this, the calendar can predict that on June 7th, your plant would have flowered. As you continue column through column, the calendar also takes into account the different phases of the moon and which elements are at play. Below, will be a picture of the calendar.
Goals for the Future of Green Thumb Dynamics
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Begin using the preps Professor Knapik bought in the garden.
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Pass on our research of Biodynamics to the next group so they can continue further research in this complex topic.
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Use the calendar to plan for future planting trials.
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Continue our partnership with the Pfeiffer Center.
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ULTIMATELY: Turn our campus garden into a fully functioning biodynamic garden!
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Capstone Wrap Up PowerPoint
Read up on everything we learned in a clear and concise way. Check out our final powerpoint presentation here.
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Preparation Storage
The Pfeiffer Center holds many activities that get the public involved and really encourage the community to start using biodynamic techniques. Here are the following workshops that The Pfeiffer Center is holding. Look at their website for more details and to purchase a ticket to one of these unique and educating events.
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Begin a Vegetable Garden with Mac Mead: it incorporates the basics for beginners and you get the opportunity to work closely with Mac Mead who has farmed biodynamically for nearly 40 years. You will learn the following aspects of gardening from Mac: composting, companion planting, composting, weeding, and planting and raising seedlings. This event takes place on Saturday, April 14th, 2018.
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Conscious Beekeeping with Bill Day: half-day orientation of beekeeping basics that is taught by Bill Day. This orientation will include siting a hive, the biology of a honey bee, and a year in beekeeping. This event will be taking place on Friday, April 27, 2018. The full-day orientation is the next day and includes these topics and many more on Saturday, April 28, 2018.
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Pfeiffer Plant Sale: This is the public's opportunity to buy plants that have been grown biodynamically. These plant sales will be taking place on (Friday) May 18, (Saturday) May 19, and (Sunday) May 20. The plant sales offer a variety of vegetables and perennial herbs.
