BDAASA strives to strengthen, promote and advance the practice of biodynamic agriculture in Southern Africa
The Biodynamic Planting Calendar
Maria Thun, encouraged by Rudolf Steiner started to observe plants in new and unusual ways. She became a committed researcher. She noticed that there were substantial differences in growth, harvesting and keeping qualities in seeds and crops, otherwise treated equally, if they were transplanted, worked and harvested at certain times.
After years of research Maria Thun published her research in the form of the BD planting calendar.
This Biodynamic Planting Calendar is Maria Thun’s calendar adapted to the year 2023 and the Southern Hemisphere.
The Biodynamic Planting Calendar for the Southern Hemisphere for 2023, in both printed and electronic versions, can be ordered from the BDAASA office info@bdaasa.org.za
BD Preps
Biodynamic farmers use a range of specially formulated herbal and/or organic preparations to enhance soil, plant and animal life, fertility and vitality. They develop their farms into unique and distinct individualities that use a minimum of external inputs. Their aim is to produce the highest quality food, fibre and timber with no or very limited negative impact on the environment. In an effort to create a harmonious whole, the farmer works with the natural and cosmic cycles, rhythms and forces that regulate life on earth.
Books
Recommended reading and books available for sale
SACRED AGRICULTURE
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DENNIS KLOCEK
Dennis Klocek explores the essence of biodynamic agriculture, in particular the nature of inner development needed to utilize such methods effectively
R680
20% discount for BDAASA Members
GROWING BIODYNAMIC CROPS
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FRIEDRICH SATTLER and ECKARD VON WISTINGHAUSEN
This book focuses in depth on one aspect of biodynamic farming: growing crops. This is a comprehensive overview of crops and cropping for biodynamic farmers, written by experts in their field.
R380
20% discount for BDAASA Members
NATURAL WINE
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ISABELLE LEGERON
Isabelle, who campaigns for natural wine around the world and runs the hugely successful RAW wine fairs in London, Berlin, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Montreal, reveals why the finest, most authentic wines are those made naturally. If you care about what’s in your glass, or are keen to support small-scale producers, then you need to know more about natural wine, and where to find it.
R650
20% discount for BDAASA Members
COSMOS, EARTH AND NUTRITION
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RICHARD THORNTON SMITH
In recent years there has been an explosion of interest in organic and biodynamic produce. Although once considered marginal and “alternative,” growing concerns about the environment, health, food quality, and animal welfare have brought organic and biodynamic agriculture into mainstream consciousness.
R450
20% discount for BDAASA Members
A BIODYNAMIC MANUAL
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PIERRE MASSON
For anyone already practicing, or turning to, biodynamic gardening and farming methods, numerous detailed questions arise, this book helps.
Although the technical aspects of biodynamic growing are exhaustively covered, the author also considers the human qualities necessary for this kind of agriculture to succeed.
This is an invaluable guide for all biodynamic growers to have to hand daily.
R650
20% discount for BDAASA Members
Biodynamic Beekeeping
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MATTHIAS THUN
Modern beekeeping, influenced by new technologies and breeding methods, has increased honey production but left bee colonies weak and vulnerable to disease. With the alarming decline of the bee population raising concerns about an impending ecological crisis, many beekeepers are seeking a more sustainable way of caring for bees. Biodynamic Beekeeping is the first book to offer practical instruction on caring for bees using biodynamic theories and methods.
R550
20% discount for BDAASA Members
CULTURE AND HORTICULTURE
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WOLF D STORL
With interest in natural, sustainable, organic and local food at an all-time high, people are looking beyond their farmers markets and CSA cooperatives to hyperlocal ways of growing healthy, delicious produce in urban gardens and their own backyards. Culture and Horticulture details time-tested methods that are as effective today as they were hundreds of years ago.
R560
20% discount for BDAASA Members
WISDOM OF THE BEES
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ERIK BERREVOETS
Today, more than eighty years after Rudolf Steiner presented his lectures on bees, we are confronted with a serious decline of honeybees around the world. This fact alone justifies Wisdom of the Bees, a practical and timely introduction to biodynamic beekeeping.
Erik Berrevoets revisits those seminal lectures and re-examines Steiner’s observations and insights in the context of today’s dire situation and provides practical advice for modern beekeeping practices.
Wisdom of the Bees is an accessible and essential introduction to the urgent subject of holistic beekeeping practices.
R470
20% discount for BDAASA Members
BIODYNAMICS FOR THE HOME GARDEN
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PETER PROCTOR
The essential guide to using biodynamics in your home garden by one of the world’s masters.
R490
20% discount for BDAASA Members
HARMONY OF THE CREATIVE WORD
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RUDOLF STEINER
This is one of Steiner’s most popular lecture courses. He presents an extraordinary panorama of spiritual knowledge that focuses on the human being as a microcosm containing all the laws and secrets of the cosmos.
R460
20% discount for BDAASA Members
BIODYNAMIC WINE GROWING
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JEAN MICHEL FLORIN
Wine growers are converting to biodynamic viniculture in record numbers. Some of the world’s best wines are now biodynamic.
At its heart, biodynamic viniculture is about understanding the nature of vines and their relationship to the environment. This beautifully illustrated and informative book will be of interest to current biodynamic wine growers and those considering converting to biodynamic methods.
R620
20% discount for BDAASA Members
THE BIODYNAMIC ORCHARD
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EHRENFRIED E. PFEIFFER, MICHAEL MALTAS
This book brings together the best advice for cultivating fruit trees, berries and shrubs using biodynamic methods, with the aim of harvesting healthy fruit free of pesticides.
This is an invaluable book with practical advice on all aspects of planning and maintaining a healthy orchard.
R380
20% discount for BDAASA Members