Biodynamic Frequently Asked Questions
When you have been involved with a thing for more than twenty years, you use terms and words that you are totally familiar with. These words mean a lot to me, but when I am talking with someone who has never before heard or taken notice of these words or expressions it is totally double dutch to them.
It took me a while, but I finally worked out that I needed to create a new description of what Biodynamics is and how it is beneficial to people and how it can improve their farm or backyard.
I reached out to some people who had attended workshops and tree planting and asked them to send me some questions regarding Biodynamics and the things they didn’t understand or wanted more information about.
The questions that came back both surprised and enlightened me. What it really showed me is that I had to change my vocabulary to one of simpler terms. I had to develop a better recipe. Especially with E9 Soil Activator.
What exactly is E9 soil activator?
E9 soil activator is a complex blend of all Rudolf Steiner’s biodynamic preparations.
Horn manure (wtf is horn manure), clay, silica, & 6 compost preparations, with fermented casuarina needles, rock dust, & egg shells.
How Much E9 Would I Use On A 50sq mtr Garden?
E9 is used at 75 grammes per hectare. A 50sqm garden would receive 3.75 grammes of E9
Half a teaspoon full. The best way to spread it on the garden is to first dissolve in water, rainwater is best.
If using tap water, stand a bucket of water overnight so that all of the chlorine in tap water evaporates overnight.
How much E9 activator you would use on a 1000 sqm garden.
notice that it weighs 7 grammes and is a ball the size of a thumbnail.
What is the best way to apply E9 to my garden?
Apply as follows.
- Mix with water & spray.
- Mix with water & use as a bath to soak seedlings, cuttings, tubestock before planting.
- Use as a seed inoculant.
- Put in sealed bottles to bury under trees.
- Mix with sand, biochar, rock dust, seed & broadcast around paddocks.
How Will E9 Help My Garden?
E9 acts as an activator.
Often our systems have been shut down due to prior farming/gardening practices.
E9 will bring it back to life.
When Should I Apply E9?
E9 can be applied between January 1 & December 31.Also if you can fit with planetary cycles, this can give it more horse power.
What are the benefits of applying E9 to my soil?
There are many benefits. Breaking up hard pans, encouraging earthworms, improving soil tilth, activating minerals.
Why Should I Use E9 Instead Of Other Fertilizers?
This is a matter of choice!
When it comes to cost effectiveness, putting out 75 grammes per hectare is way ahead of putting out tonnes per hectare.
E9 is a broad spectrum activator, while many other products may be more specific & so less broad spectrum.
At $12 per hectare E9 is more cost effective than many other products.
What Process Or Bullet Points Should I Follow To Successfully Apply E9 To My Garden?
- Assume we are working with a 1000sqm yard and want to add E9.
- E9 is used at 75 grammes per hectare, which is 10,000 sqm
- 1000sqm is one tenth of 10,000sqm
- To improve your 1000sqm of soil you need 7.5 grammes of E9 which is the size of a large peanut. See the video below
- Establish a rhythm of putting it out.
- Monitor. take soil samples, photos, etc to monitor progress.
- Involve family, community.
Can I Include E9 In The Watering Can With The Compost Tea I Make?
Yes you can combine e9 with other organic inputs.
How Often Should I Apply E9 Activator?
At the start, use 3 times a month apart.
Then apy 2 to 4 times a year.
Once you have used e9 for a while your intuition will tell you when to use.
What Does Biodynamic Mean?
Bio (life) dynamic (forces).
E9 is fully compliant with all organic/biodynamic certification standards.
Biological Transmutation of Elements
Many people on their first contact with Biodynamic preparations are completely overwhelmed by the experience and can’t come to terms with the fact that so little of E9 soil activator is required to increase the health of their garden and quality of fruit, vegetables, flowers and trees.
The video below will introduce you to scientists who over the last 400 years have been experimenting and discovering things about soils that seem impossible. It is amazing even to me and I have been working with Biodynamics for 25 years.
Enjoy the trip.
Stirring E9 in a bucket
Thankyou for taking the time to get to the bottom of this post and learning a little bit about how E9 can improve your soil and garden with such a small amount. I was amazed too when I first started.
Feel free to add a comment or ask any questions for this FAQ.
Bye for now… Shane
