The Moon Gardener: A Biodynamic Guide to Getting the Best from Your Garden
As Earth’s closest neighbor, the Moon affects not only ocean tides but also the growth and development of plants. In this finely illustrated, full-color book—packed with practical tips for both the novice and advanced gardeners—Peter Berg offers a clear summary of the basics of lunar and biodynamic gardening, along with these detailed sections:
- activating and enlivening the soil
- biodynamic preparations
- making good compost
- crop rotation and green manuring
- cultivation work and care of the garden
- practical plant protection
- rich harvesting
- saving your own seeds
Building on the intensive research of his mentor Maria Thun and the teachings of Rudolf Steiner, Berg explains how the subtle influences from the cosmos work on the plant world, describing the differences among and the significance of “root,” “leaf,” “blossom,” and “fruit” days in the working calendar. Understanding these natural processes and the practical knowledge described in this book can lead to productive, chemical-free gardening, healthy plants, and abundant harvests.
This book is a translation of Der Mondgärtner. Biodynamisch gärtnern mit Peter Berg.
C O N T E N T S:
Introduction: Living Earth
The Foundations
– Inspiration from Rudolf Steiner
– Early Pioneers
Activating and enlivening the Soil
– The Garden’s Position
– Knowing Your Soil
– A Deeper Perception and Analysis of the Soil
– The Soil Speaks
– Giving Good Things to the Soil
Biodynamic Preparations
– Preparations for the Domestic Garden
– The Six Compost Preparations
– The Horn Manure Preparation
– The Horn Silica Preparation
Compost—Food for the Soil
– The Magic Formula for Compost
– Maturing Compost
– Fertilizer Is for Making Fertile
Crop Rotation and Green Maturing
– What Does Crop Rotation Involve?
– Recognizing and Understanding Plant Families
– Green Manuring in Practice
Cultivation Work and Care of the Garden
– Planning and Preparing
– Sowing out in the Open
– Growing Young Plants in Pots and Trays
– Growing Young Plants in Garden Beds
– Planting in the Garden
– Cultivating the Soil
– Plant Care and Attention
Practical Plant Protection
– Preventing Insect Attack
– Slugs and Snails
– Recognizing and Fighting Fungal Diseases
Rich Harvest
– Harvesting at the Right Time and Storage
Saving Your Own Seed
– Seed Diversity: The More the Merrier
Assigning Garden Plants to Different Groups
Cultivation Work at Planting Time and Non-planting Time
Useful Addresses
Index
About the Author
Peter Berg, a master gardener of many decades, is an expert in lunar and biodynamic gardening. He operates a nursery in Binzen, Germany, and is a gardening consultant on German Television channel SWR 3. He is the author of numerous articles in gardening magazines.
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