Monday 5 August 2013

Gardening the bio-dynamic way

As someone who is interested in healthy eating I believe one of the best ways of getting fresh seasonal food is by working an allotment to grow your own fruit and vegetables.

Having run my own allotment for some time now (organically of course), I have recently experimented with biodynamic gardening. I tried it half-heartedly a few years ago (with some success), but I wanted to see if I could grow better quality produce which possessed even greater vitality and the greatest flavour. Well, I have to say, the results have been quite amazing.

At time of writing this, and by embracing some of the principles of biodynamic gardening, I have produced nearly twice as much produce from the plants. I should note that as a vegetarian, I do not embrace the whole practice. For example, I do not use animal manure, horn preparations or make ashes from insect pests. Instead, I prepare my own nettle and comfrey feeds, my own compost and have sown, maintained and harvested according to the rhythms of the planets and phases of the moon (which is what gardening by biodynamic principles essentially is). And no, I have not had to steal out in the middle of night and garden under the light of the moon (even if it sounds appealing)!

So what is biodynamic gardening?

Essentially, all life processes on earth are influenced by the rhythms of the planets, sun and moon with the constellations of the zodiac working through these. The planets, sun and moon in turn pass on their own properties to the plants through the elements of fire, air, water and earth.

Biodynamic agriculture recognise that the plant is bound with the life of the soil and that the soil should be alive and vital. However, the plants' growth is also influenced by planetary influences. From the beginning of the process through to the harvesting and storing, it is important to note the right time for each stage. The sowing time, for example, exerts the strongest influence. Planting out or moving a plant is also important as this can enhance or weaken the impulse which the seed received at the sowing stage. Even before sowing, it is important to prepare the soil at the right time as this opens up the earth to planetary and zodiac influences which can enhance growth. Harvest time is also critical depending on what is being harvested, for example seeds or parts of the plant which is to be used for sowing or propagation for next years crop, will be weak or sickly if harvested at a time of unfavourable cosmic conditions.

The sun, moon and planets all influence the weather using the elements of fire (warmth), air, water and earth. The weather effects the best times to grow and harvest crops. For example, favourable sowing days for leaf growth (lettuce or leafy herbs for example) always tend to be damp as these ‘leaf days’ have the greatest moisture or highest rainfall of the month, or favourable sowing days for root growth (potatoes, carrots) always tend to be cold or cool. Such weather observations demonstrate that the elements should be assigned to different parts of the plant. As the moon passes every two to four days from one constellation to another, the character of cosmic influence changes. So water, for example, changes to warmth. As three constellations are assigned to each element, known as trigons, it is roughly every nine days the moon reaches the same group again.

To decide the best time for sowing, maintaining, harvesting and storing, therefore, we must known which part of the plant we want to harvest. With carrots for example, it is the root that is of importance so sowing should take place on a ‘root day’. Years of research have established four broad categories, as follows:

Flower days

Flower plants are sown, tended, cultivated, cut and harvested on flower days. They include flowers of all kind, broccoli, bulb plants and many medicinal plants.

Fruit days

Fruit plants are sown, planted, hoed, cultivated, harvested and stored on fruit days. Fruits include fruits and berries, beans, courgettes, cucumber, peas, peppers, pumpkins and tomatoes.

Leaf days

Leaf plants are sown, planted and tended on leaf days. However, leaf vegetables for storing are harvested on flower days. Plants include cabbage, cauliflower, leafy herbs and lettuce.

Root days

Root days should be chosen for sowing, transplanting, hoeing, harvesting and storing. Plants include beetroot, carrots, garlic, onions, potatoes and swede.

It is interesting that the leaf plants (cabbage, kale) I sowed on leaf days have flourished compared to the those that I sowed on dry, hot flower days and my courgette plants sown and cultivated on fruit days have provided me with so much fruit, I really could open up a shop (well, a market stall)!

Biodynamic agriculture is based on the original ideas and recommendations of Rudolf Steiner, which he presented in a series of lectures to farmers and gardeners in 1924. It is the oldest non-chemical agricultural movement and predates the organic agricultural movement by 20 years. The work has been further developed and researched over many years by Maria and Matthias Thun.

Further information:


Sunday 4 August 2013

Softening hand balm recipe

Ingredients
  • 1 tsp coconut oil or butter
  • 1/2 tsp wheat germ (or almond) oil
  • 1 tbl sp cocoa butter
  • 1 natural vitamin E capsule (optional)
  • 6 drops lavender essential oil
  • 6 drops geranium essential oil

Melt the coconut, wheat germ and cocoa butter in a bowl and gently heat over a pan of boiling water. When all ingredients are thoroughly melted, remove from heat. Pierce the vitamin E capsule and whisk into the oils. Leave to cool until mixture just starts to thicken. Add essential oils and pour into a sterilised low wide mouthed jar and leave to cool completely before covering with lid.
Use as required to soften and smooth your hands and elbows. It is also gentle enough to use on the face. However, it is a rich treatment so use only a small amount per application, otherwise your skin will feel oily.

If stored away in a dry place and away from sunlight, your balm will keep for about 9-10 months.

Properties of ingredients used:
Coconut butter has protective and skin softening properties;

Wheatgerm oil is useful in the treatment of premature ageing;

Cocoa butter is very mild and superb for dry skin conditions as it helps to nourish, protect and soothe;

Vitamin E protects against the destruction of the connective tissue caused by free radicals;

Lavender essential oil helps the skin by stimulating cells to regenerate more quickly;


Geranium essential oil balances sebum to keep skin supple;

Saturday 3 August 2013

Lavender: an essential home remedy

Every home should have a bottle of lavender essential oil. It has many beneficial properties, and can be used for many conditions and ailments.

Historically, lavender has been a popular essential oil in Aromatherapy and has been used in healing for thousands of years in many cultures. It was used in linen drawers to keep moths and insects at bay due to its insecticidal properties.  The Romans used it to bathe and cleanse wounds as it has powerful antiseptic qualities and was popular in the Elizabethan and Stuart ages as a perfume.


With it's many uses, lavender is a most versatile and indispensable remedy.  It is naturally antiseptic, antibiotic, antiviral, detoxifying, a decongestant and a sedative. 

Lavender has amazing skin healing properties and can help prevent scarring as it works to promote the regeneration of skin cells. In fact, applying lavender neat to a burn produces remarkable results as the skin can return to normal within days, whereas without applying lavender, a blister would form and later scar. It is said to be effective against ageing and damaged skin conditions and has a marked healing effect on sunburn, acne and scarring, eczema and psoriasis. In fact, I recently used neat lavender to treat sunburn on my hand due to my SPF protection being washed off as I watered my plants on my allotment! Although it blistered, my skin healed quickly and did not itch nor peel. 

It is also safe and effective on sprains, strains and rheumatic pain as it helps with muscular spasms.  Use it to purify the air, soothe headaches, calm sunburn and relieve insomnia.  It is also safe to use on pets and is effective when used as a natural cleanser in the kitchen for tables and tiles.

Lavender is a valuable ingredient in many commercially produced products including all types of soaps, detergents, cosmetics, toilet waters and colognes.  A natural way to gently scent your clothes is to add a few drops of Lavender oil to your de-ionised water whilst ironing.  Cheaper and much more environmentally friendly.
Lavender is suitable for all skin types.

Note: It promotes and regulates menstrual flow, so should be avoided by those in the early stages of pregnancy.

Friday 2 August 2013

Why you should avoid artificial sweeteners


Aspartame, otherwise known as Canderel, Spoonful and Nutrasweet is widely used as a sweetening additive in thousands of foods and drinks. It is 200 times sweeter than natural sugar and is often listed as ingredient E951.

Whilst there are governments, health authorities and medical researchers globally that support the use of aspartame in our food and drink, there is substantial research that shows it to be unsafe and toxic, and 'likely' to be responsible for the global rise in Multiple Sclerosis and Systemic Lupus.

Aspartame was originally discovered in 1965 by accident, and research indicated that it may cause cancer in rats. In 1980, it was reviewed and classed as safe but vital raw data was ignored. Aspartame was approved for use as an additive in 1981.

Upon digestion, it breaks down into chemicals including phenylalanine and methanol (which belongs to the same class of poisons as Cyanide and Arsenic) and then to formaldehyde and formic acid. There is much controversy on the effects that these chemicals have on those that consume aspartame sweetened food. The symptoms of, what is known as, Aspartame Disease include spasms, shooting pains, cramps, numbness in limbs, joint pains, dizziness, vertigo, anxiety, headaches, tinnitus, blurred vision and blindness, and symptoms of Fibromylagia.

In the UK, products which contain aspartame must list the chemical as an ingredient and carry the warning “Contains a source of phenylalanine”. Phenylalanine depletes Serotonin and therefore can cause depression, panic attacks, rage and violence. It is also life threatening to those with Phenylketonuria, which causes problems with brain development.

Worryingly, research shows aspartame is deadly to Diabetics, causes Alzheimer’s disease in women as young as 30, and could even be responsible for Gulf War Syndrome. Given the research and the fact that Monsanto who created and sold aspartame until 2000 (when they sold the brand) are also the largest GM food company, producers of Agent Orange and Round-Up, I would suggest steering very clear of any foods containing this E-number.
have appled for patents to 'own' certain plant species known for millenia to work as traditional health remedies.