Biodynamic Preparations Handbook

Description

Biodynamic preparations can achieve remarkable results for plant growth and soil health – when made and applied properly. This comprehensive handbook is the definitive guide to creating and using these powerful, nature-based preparations, which have transformed farms worldwide.

Drawing on the pioneering research of Vincent and Pierre Masson, who helped transform French viticulture, resulting in biodynamic wines celebrated for their exceptional quality, this handbook distils the essential knowledge needed for success. It combines the Massons’ practical, farmer-focused approach with insights from other biodynamic pioneers, including Alex Podolinski, Lilly Kolisko, and Ehrenfried Pfeiffer.

Biodynamics is an organic, regenerative farming method that builds soil organic matter and humus while stimulating biological activity, allowing plants to grow naturally without the need for artificial fertilizers, chemical pesticides, fungicides or herbicides. Its powerfully acting, nature-based preparations dramatically enhance soil biological activity and photosynthetic efficiency, resulting in healthier, more resilient plants with exceptional flavour and storage qualities.

This time-tested handbook provides step-by-step instructions for making, storing, and applying biodynamic preparations with the precision and attention to detail that are critical for achieving outstanding results. Farmers who follow these methods report excellent outcomes in terms of soil fertility, crop quality, and farm sustainability.

Features:

• Clear, practical instructions based on extensive field experiments and research
• Comprehensive coverage of all essential biodynamic preparations and methods
• Secrets of soil health and sustainable fertility revealed
• Illustrated with colour photos and diagrams
• Complete index for easy reference

This is the most thorough and useful guide available for farmers and growers committed to regenerative agriculture and exceptional crop quality

Contents

Part 1 Fundamentals

1. Introduction; A brief overview of biodynamic preparations; Horn manure and horn silica, two complementary spray preparations; The six plant-based preparations usually intended for use in stable manures and composting materials; Field horsetail as a complementary preparation; The role of biodynamic preparations and their place in the Agriculture Course.
2. Research on preparations: a brief history
3. The benefits of using biodynamic preparations in response to the problems of today’s world: Interesting effects to better manage the global food crisis; Carbon storage and its impact on climate change; Improving soil permeability: limiting flood severity and rising sea levels; Many beneficial effects on the environment, food and feed, and the partial resolution of some agronomic problems.
4. Processes at work and practical results: some information on biodynamic preparations: Metabolism, anabolism and catabolism: some elements to facilitate comprehension; Horn manure; Horn silica ; The six plant-based ‘compost’ preparations to improve manuring; Action of the preparations: enliven, develop sensitivity, organise; The plant-based preparations: different ways to use them; Some research results on the effects of the compost preparations.
5. Understanding preparations – some explanatory hypotheses: The Earth’s evolution; Preparations as ‘cosmic substances‘; Preparations, organs, planets; Connecting the cosmos and Earth; Preparations as cosmetics for the Earth’s face

Part 2 – In practice

6. Prerequisites for making preparations: The processes of metamorphosis in the making and storage of preparations: the wet and dry ways; The colloidal state.
7. The practical aspects of making biodynamic preparations: The rigour with which we should make and use preparations; General information: materials, plants, timing, etc; The plants; The organs; The utensils and materials used; The quality of the water used; Cosmic rhythms; Precautions to be taken regarding various types of pollution, especially low- and high-frequency electromagnetic fields; The places; The storage of preparations.
8. Making biodynamic preparations; Horn manure preparation, 500; Horn silica preparation, 501; Yarrow preparation, 502; Chamomile reparation, 503; Nettle preparation, 504; Oak bark preparation, 505; Dandelion preparation, 506; Valerian preparation, 507; Horsetail preparation, 508; Compound preparations: barrel preparations, 500P.
9. Applying preparations: Introduction; The storage of biodynamic preparations; Basic rules; Making storage boxes; Maintaining the boxes; Caring for preparations during storage; The quantities of preparations required; Applying compost preparations; Applying spray preparations; The colloidal quality of the preparations; Storage; The quality of the water; Heating the water; Stirring; Spraying; Choosing the right moments; Regulatory aspects; Reasons why the preparations fail to work.

Conclusion; Bibliography; Index

Author

Vincent Masson, Director of BioDynamie Services, developed his skills for making and applying biodynamic preparations as a farmer, researcher and advisor. He draws on extensive experience, travel, encounters and training activities. A well-known expert in researching, making and applying Biodynamic preparations, he helped make French biodynamic wines and vineyards world famous for quality.

Endorsements

‘Wine is the ultimate mirror of soil and vine health, revealing the subtle work of biodynamic practices. Vincent Masson’s Handbook is the definitive guide for farmers, gardeners, viticulturists, and growers. It brings clarity, depth, and practical wisdom to working with nature. Essential reading for cultivating life, flavour, and resilience in the soil.

Monty Walden, from the Foreword

‘Vincent Masson’s book addresses some of the central issues of biodynamic agriculture in a most practical way. The quality of the preparations, how they can be made well and applied appropriately could not be more relevant to this important discipline.

Mark Moodie, Head Researcher, Considera

‘The preparations are a key to biodynamic land stewardship and are central for its practitioners, who attest to their efficacy. However, the preparations can be a sticking point for those who wish to see agriculture practiced on purely rational grounds. Vincent Masson’s manual provides deep insight into the cræft of making and applying the preparations – a praxis (‘practice’ better?) that invites a transformation of our ways of knowing as much as it does in our ways of growing. Masson and his colleagues uniquely situate the creation and use of biodynamic preparations as an act of salutogenisis. This participative and intentional practice supports the health, vitality and integrity of our farms and gardens and all who benefit from them.

Dr Jonathan Code, author of Muck and Mind: Encountering Biodynamic Agriculture

‘The preparations lie at the heart of Biodynamics. Without high quality, moist, colloidal (in the case of the solid preparations) preparations there is no Biodynamics. That is why it is critically important that the method of making high quality preparations be recorded and widely disseminated. Vincent’s work provides the high level of detail essential to this task and does it very clearly.

John Bradshaw, farmer and author of The Biodynamic Farming Handbook

‘Vincent Masson’s Biodynamic Preparations Handbook is an essential guide for both the beginner and the experienced biodynamic practitioner. The author leaves us in no doubt that the correct making, use and storage of these extraordinary substances that define biodynamic agriculture will help us on the path to success.’

Tom Petherick, farmer, gardener, inspector of organic and biodynamic farms and gardens for the Biodynamic Association and author of six books