BACKYARD COMPOSTING

Compost is the backbone of organic/biodynamic gardening and can be started in early spring and continue all the way through to the fall. 

The following video is a great introduction for beginner gardeners. Please note that no biodynamic preparations are used in the construction of this compost pile. Information on when to add the compost preparations is found below the video.

WHAT DO I NEED TO MAKE A BIODYNAMIC COMPOST PILE? 

All biodynamic composting needs are three (4) things
1. Browns – including, dead leaves, branches and twigs, dust from vacuuming, cardboard & newspaper, wood chippings & sawdust, autumn leaves, hay & straw, Autumn & winter prunings, Pine needles, wood ash and tissues. 
2. Greens – including, grass clippings, waste from the garden, fruit scraps  and/or coffee grounds (you can include the filters), egg shells, plastic-free teabags, unseeded weeds, fruit & veg scraps, lawn clippings, horse, sheep, chicken & cow manure, finished plants/plant tops, Comfrey & Nettles, seaweed, spent brewery grain if you have a local brewers, 3. Water
4. Biodynamic preparations. 

Your pile should have equal amounts of browns and greens. Alternate layers of brown (provides carbon) and greens (provides nitrogen). Water until moist (not wet).

ADDING THE COMPOST PREPARATIONS

Many biodynamic gardeners add the compost preparations when the pile is 1/2 the size of the completed pile. Poke 6 holes into the compost pile to about 1/2 the depth of the pile (a rake handle is good for this job). Place 1-teaspoon of each preparation, beginning with 502 (Yarrow; 503 Chamomile; 504 Stinging Nettle; 505 Oak Bark; 506 Dandelion) and a few drop of 507 Valerian into each hole sequentially. If you are putting the compost pile to bed for the winter, cover the pile with dry stocks from ornamental grasses/flowers or straw to protect the pile against moisture loss as well as getting water logged. Dynamize 20 – 30 drops of Valerian in 1-gallon of water for 20-minutes and mist thoroughly over the pile.  

 

 

 

 

 

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