This week I took it upon myself to look into how the biodynamic preps could be stored once we purchased them. Wanda told us that she 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 I looked into how we should store them the correct way. I used the Biodynamic Services and the Josephine Porter Institute website to gather my information.
The very first thing I learned from both sources is that it is recommended that the preps are purchased and used right away. It is said that it's best to calculate what preps you are going to need when and buy them so you can use them immediately. However, there was also some information listed on what can be done to store the preps if they are purchased in advance. It is o key point to remember that the preps are living substances! They needed to be treated as such. Both sources gave
some general warning about the prep storage. One warning was to not letting the preps come in contact with any other substances (like the peat), another warning is to keep the preps away from electronic and electric circuitry (at least 8ft away), and lastly to keep the preps away from noxious gas.
Overall, all of the preps need to be stored in a peat-lined box (shown in image). Which is a wooden box that has about 6cm of dried peat to protect and insulate the preps. It is also important that the preps do not come in direct contact with the peat! So whats the story inside the peat-box? Good Question. 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 is a variety in the 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.
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 left breaks down how preps 501, 508, and 509 should be stored.
Lastly, 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 reminded that the preps are a living thing so they should be able to breathe.
Overall, in my research I have learned a lot about storage of the biodynamic preps and I think the next step for a biodynamic campus garden would be to look into how we are going to store the preps now that they have been purchased. What containers are we going to use? Where will they be stored? These are important questions we will need to think about to have a successful garden.