Layman and experienced gardener alike will thoroughly enjoy this eloquent and inspiring book and benefit from a deeper philosophical and practical understanding of horticulture. Written as an introduction to gardening in its wider aspects, this book links it to historical, philosophical, and cosmological contexts, taking horticulture from the microscope to the wider cosmos.

This is an excellent introduction to the subject of biodynamics — a great, approachable yet substantive book for beginners!

Excerpts:
“This book is written as an introduction to gardening in its wider aspects, linking it to historical, philosophical and cosmological contexts, taking horticulture from the microscope to the wider cosmos. Surely such vistas are involved when one takes a shovel to hand to turn the soil: eons have formed it; life permeates it in manifold forms; cosmic cycles of sun and moon warm it, circulate water through it, lure out of it the season’s vegetation; and man shapes it according to his thinking and willing, plants and husbands it according to his cultural traditions, and finds mental and physical sustenance through it. All that is gardening!”

“Bio-dynamics is also ecologically sound [like organics], but takes a much wider scope into account, including the sun, the moon, planets and subterranean features, in its effort to understand the totality of all factors. The meant factor is also considered. Bio-dynamics, though not disparaging of common sense, is concerned essentially with consciousness-expansion in regard to plants, animals and soil. The attempt is made to look into the deeper spirit of nature. Out of this deeper awareness, based on exquisite observation of nature, the approach calls for not letting things run their natural course, but for intensifying certain natural processes (creating optimal animal populations, making special compost preparations, planting selected companion plants at certain cosmic constellations), aiding nature where she is weak after so many centuries of abuse, short-cutting destructive processes, and using human intelligence, kindness and good will to foster positive developments (planting hedges for birds, planting bee pastures, etc.). Bio-dynamics is a human service to the earth and its creatures, not just a method for increasing production or for providing healthy food.”

This is a Board and staff favorite: "Very eloquent and philosophical introduction to biodynamics. Not a book to be skimmed quickly, but rather savored over time." (Rebecca Briggs)

Author: Wolf D. Storl
Paperback: 435 pages
Illustrations: Black and white drawings
Publisher: Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association (2000)
Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 inches