- Subjects
- Published
-
Berkeley, Calif. :
North Atlantic Books
2013.
- Language
- English
- Main Author
- Physical Description
- 396 pages
- Bibliography
- Includes bibliographical references and index.
- ISBN
- 9781583945506
- Illustrations
- Foreword
- Acknowledgments
- Part I. History and Philosophy
- Introduction to Part I
- Chapter 1. Historical Sketch
- The Newer Agriculture
- Chapter 2. Voices of Concern and Reform
- History of the Modern Organic Movement
- Chapter 3. The Pioneers of Organic Agriculture
- Sir Albert Howard
- Rudolf Steiner
- Biodynamic vs. Organic
- Chapter 4. Basic Concepts
- The Four Elements
- Processes: Sal, Mercurius, Sulfur
- Microcosm-Macrocosm
- Imaginative Perception
- The Spheres, or Planes
- Chapter 5. Transmutation, Destruction, and Creation of Matter
- Chapter 6. Goetheanistic Science
- Goethean Methodology and Epistemology
- The Primal Plant, or Ur-Plant
- Chapter 7. Evolution
- Plant Evolution
- Chapter 8. Heredity
- Establishment Genetics
- Who Is Right?
- Conclusion
- Part II. Practical Aspects of Gardening
- Introduction to Part II
- Chapter 9. Terrestrial Factors: Soil
- The Phenomenology of Soil
- How Is Soil Created?
- The Soil as a Living Organ of the Earth Organism
- Earthworms
- How to Care for the Soil
- Chapter 10. Nutrients and Fertilizer
- The Major Elements Involved in Plant Growth
- The Magnificent Three: NPK
- Chapter 11. Cosmic Influences
- Basic Geocentric Astronomy
- Dimensions of Time and Space
- Time and Cosmic Rhythms
- Forms and Shapes
- Practical Application
- Chapter 12. Atmospheric Factors
- Magical Weather Control
- Working with the Microclimate: Practical Aspects
- Light and Warmth
- Frosts
- Air and Wind
- Water
- Dry Weather Gardening
- Mulching and Ground Covers
- Chapter 13. Composts and Liquid Manures
- Compost Ingredients
- When, Where, and How to Set Up the Compost
- Special Composts and Manures
- The Sacred Cow
- Liquid Manures
- The Composting Process
- Human Wastes
- Humus
- Chapter 14. Companion Planting, Crop Rotation, and Weeds
- A Few Good Companion Plant Combinations
- Intercropping
- Crop Rotation
- Families of Cultivated Vegetable Plants
- Other Plant Families Commonly Found in Food and Herb Gardens
- Lesser Known Vegetables and Garden Crops
- Weeds
- Chapter 15. Insects and Other Beasties
- A Glimpse at History
- What Is an Insect?
- Beneficial Insects
- Practical Application
- Fungus, Virus and Bacteria
- Chapter 16. The Garden Calendar
- Chapter 17. Teas, Preparations, and Biotic Substances
- How the Preparations Are Made
- How Can One Explain the Preparations?
- A Closer Look at the Herbs in the Preparations
- Other Herbal Preparations
- Chapter 18. Biodynamic Cooking, Nutrition, and Food Preparation
- Freshness
- Processing
- Cooking
- Good Food Habits
- Seasoning
- Storage
- Chapter 19. Seeds and Tools
- Seeds
- Seed Selection
- Seed Storage
- Germination Test
- Seed Viability
- Hybrids
- Pollination
- Collecting Seed from Annuals, Biennials, and Perennials
- Other Means of Propagation
- Gardening Tools
- The Tools One Needs for Successful Gardening
- Tool Care
- Chapter 20. Social Implications
- The Loss of the Sacred Land
- The Land of Cockaigne
- Small, Decentralized, and Local Is Beautiful
- Reclaiming Our Garden
- Appendix I. Winter Gardening in Oregon
- Appendix II. A Summary of the Agricultural Lectures of Rudolf Steiner
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
- About the Author