Different manures for different plants…

Hog manure-root crops; horse manure-great for raised beds and grain and grass fields; cow manure-composts; rabbit manure-green, leafy vegetables; chicken manure-flowers and fruit trees; goat and sheep manure-herbs.

Rudolf Steiner: “What is manure? Food gave occasion for the development of dynamic forces and influences in the animal, but it was excreted. Nevertheless it has been INSIDE the animal, but it was excreted. Nevertheless it has been permeated with that animal’s forces, which in turn are responsible for carrying LIVE nitrogen and live oxygen to the soil.”

Interestingly, whatever part of plant upon which an animal characteristically feeds upon is best fertilized by that animal. A hog roots around in the soil—root crops!

Doomed! I am a left-handed farmer...

A teacher: -asked whether children should be broken of left-handedness.

Rudolf Steiner (the father of Biodynamic Farming/Gardening): As a rule, yes! The phenomenon of left-handedness is decidedly karmic, in fact a karmic weakness. (R.S. "Conferences with Teachers-Vol. 4, p. 29.)

Perhaps Steiner is correct. This from today’s article in Salon: “the version most commonly heard is that left-handers die an average of nine years sooner, and that by about the age of forty most have disappeared…”

Yet, it is common knowledge that Rudolf Steiner lauded the peasant culture for their intuitive approach to farming. “We go through the fields, and all of the sudden the knowledge is there in us. We know it absolutely. Afterwards we put it to the test and find it confirmed. In in my youth, at least, when I lived among the peasant folk, I witnessed this again and again. We must begin again from such things.” “Agricultural Course,” p. 53.

I wonder to myself, are there more left-handed or more right-handed farmers out there? Do farmers and gardeners rely more on the right side of their brains (creative, intuitive, and usually left handed) or more on the left side of their brains (logical, organized, and usually right handed).

Think Twice before Eating Mushrooms!

The common scientific wisdom concurs that mushrooms are OK to eat. In fact, they contain the trace mineral germanium, which is noted for its antiviral and antitumor effects. Germanium also energizes the body. With so many healing abilities and such variety of flavors and textures, mushrooms just may help the body generate energy, offer protection against tumors and virus infection, and bring complete satiety to the mushroom aficionado.

From a Biodynamic Viewpoint, harmful parasites always consort with mushrooms. In fact, you should have a patch of mushrooms on your lawn or on your farm to “keep all sorts of pests away from your garden.” You might well imagine then what happens when you ingest this parasitic-loving food in your body! Dr. B. Toth (“Cancer induction in mice by feeding mushroom ‘Gyromitra esculenta.” “Cancer Research,” 1992; 52(8): 2279-84) found that mushrooms are associated with cancer in lungs, liver, thyroid, nasal cavity, stomach, colon, and gallbladder in mice.

From a Biodynamic Viewpoint, What Accounts for Different Colors of Flowers?

I hope that you enjoy a new series of blogs. I signed off for awhile but am working on the story and magic of Lavender Lane Biodynamic Farm. The unique, cosmic/spiritual, premium organic method of gardening and farming is on my mind.

I often want to share "out-of-the-box insights" by Rudolf Steiner. Some are hard to swallow, but they begin to work on you to the point that they make a whole lot of sense and are then difficult to forget. To balance viewpoints, I shall present a more common viewpoint from time to time and counter that with a Biodynamic Viewpoint. There will be many to follow. Did you know that nitrogen is the most important element when one meditates? Why is sand important for children to play in? I hope that you find them at the very least provocative! Here we go!

From a Botanist Viewpoint, flower colors are used to attract pollinators. Since pollinators fly and therefore have a bird's-eye view, the vivid colors attract these insects from high above. The brighter the flower, the more likely it will be visited.

From a Biodynamic Viewpoint, flower colors have little to do with pollinators. Pollinators are more concerned with odors. Flower colors are a reflection of the cosmos. When we contemplate a red rose, its red color reflects the forces of Mars. Or when we look at the yellow sunflower, its yellow color has less to do with the sun and more to do with Jupiter. A yellow sapphire is the gemstone of Jupiter. What planet would we associate the bright blue flowers of chicory with? Saturn. Sure enough, blue is the predominant atmospheric color of this beautiful planet. The forces of these planets work most strongly below the earth’s surface. That which shines out in the coloring of the flower is what is happening most strongly in the roots of the the plant from a cosmic point of view.

Roots Radicals

Roots Radicals

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Spring Garden Waldorf School's Class Two Field Trip

Spring Garden Waldorf School's Class Two Field Trip to
LAVENDeR LANE BIODYNAMIC FARM

Ms. Crall's Class Two from Spring Garden Waldorf School came to Lavender Lane yesterday. We all had great fun. We participated in the celebration of the arrival of Lady Spring by gathering around a sweet little group of snowdrops. The sound of songbirds competed with the crowing of our roosters, Puff Ball and Lenny. Remnants of winter, however, remain! We greeted one of the new baby bunnies and felt the thick coat of fur around Twinkles' neck.
We sloshed through the mud of the animal yard and the children were eagerly greeted by Alexis, our goat. This was the first experience many children had of touching and petting such a large animal! Alexis adored the children and could not get enough. She continued to follow us, indeed, lead us on the final leg of our journey around the farm.
We went out to the spot where our Italian bees will find their cozy home this coming April. Many questions and stories began to fly from the children about the bees. Their honesty and passion about these lovely creatures, ranging from "I'm a little afraid of bees" to "I'm Italian, too" were wonderful.
Alexis then took us to the beds of garlic and the children could observe there that King Winter took good care of it, as we could see the green shoots beginning to pierce through the blankets of straw.
We then gathered around the children's garden where Alexis entertained the children by munching on some of the kale the children had planted almost a year ago and was still thriving in the center of the garden! Class Two then graced us with one of their lovely songs.
At the song's conclusion, Alexis felt it was time for her to go back to Spring Garden with the children. We all told her that she needed to stay home, but she wouldn't have anything to do with that. She crossed the street with the children and marched side by side with them right up to the school door. She certainly would have gone in, had Ms. Crall not said, "thank you, Alexis, but that will be fine." She listened, then turned away and had a police escort help her back across the street. What a fine day and lovely field trip!

Top Bar Beehive Workshop

Top Bar Beehive Workshop
at
LAVENDeR LANE BIODYNAMIC FARM
1756 Jacoby Road
Copley, OH 44321

Sunday, April 18, 2010 Noon-3 PM

Günther Hauk, my Biodynamic beeguardian mentor, told me that the best we can do for bees now during the crisis of Colony Collapse is for everyone who is filled with love to have bees.
In this workshop, we will study the basic philosophy behind responsible stewardship of having bees in our families. The top bar hive is perfect for your backyard and is, at least to me, the most sensitive and practical means for the bees to work, live, and thrive happily. At the workshop we will discuss the reasons for this as well as an array of fascinating topics: safe propolis beeswax stain for the outside, why you shouldn't smoke your bees, honey collection, hive maintenance, my favorite bee literature, how to catch a swarm, and many others, including how to place bee packages in your top bar hive. Take it from me, it is one thing to watch a YouTube demonstration of introducing bees into a new hive and another to actually seeing it done before your eyes. We will do this on Sunday afternoon as a part of the workshop.
Due to the interest that has been expressed for participating in the workshop, I would ask that you RSVP via e-mail as soon as possible (lavenderlane@earthlink.net). Please note that for this particular workshop, we will not be providing child care. The fee for the 3-hour workshop is 5 dollars an hour for a total of 15 dollars. This can be paid when you arrive. All participants will receive a complimentary CD of Günther Hauk's talk: The Honeybee Crisis: Symptomatic of our Failure to Care for Nature.
See you there!
Farmer Jake