Frequently Asked Questions
General
What is Biodynamics?
Biodynamics is a whole-farm approach that treats soil, plants, animals, compost, people, and the wider landscape as an interconnected living system.
JPI preparations are made from natural agricultural materials and are not formulated with synthetic chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Growers use the nine core preparations (BD 500–508) together with composting, biodiversity, observation, and careful timing to support soil vitality, balanced plant growth, and resilient farm ecosystems.
JPI preparations are generally safe when stored, mixed, and applied according to the current instructions. They are agricultural inputs, not food, and are not intended for human or animal consumption.
Does biodynamics improve compost quality?
The Pfeiffer Compost Starter contains every numbered compost preparation plus specific beneficial bacteria, producing faster, sweeter compost without putrefaction. Biodynamics consistently makes superior compost.
Do biodynamic foods and wines taste better—or offer health advantages?
Biodynamic farmers and winemakers deliberately cultivate flavor, aroma, balance, and crop quality through living soil, compost, biodiversity, and careful timing. JPI preparations support that whole-farm practice. Results reflect the crop, site, season, and management; JPI preparations are agricultural inputs, not medical products.
Why is biodynamics regarded as especially sustainable?
Sustainability rests on the relationship between periphery and center; the earth has become vulnerable, totally dependent on what we do.
How is biodynamic farming different from certified organic?
- Whole-farm certification. Crops, livestock and perimeter are treated as one organism rather than certified plot by plot.
- No hydroponics. Living soil is non-negotiable.
- Regular use of biodynamic preparations, biodynamic compost & natural calendars.
- Biodiversity requirement. At least 10 % of the acreage must be set aside as ecological reserve.
- Livestock integration. Fertility should arise primarily from animals kept on the holding
Why choose biodynamics over ordinary organic or regenerative methods?
Biodynamics gives growers a complete, practical system for strengthening the farm as a living whole. It combines strong organic and regenerative practices with nine biodynamic preparations, composting, biodiversity, whole-farm planning, careful observation, and purposeful timing.
I grow cut flowers. Should I choose biodynamics?
Do biodynamic preparations comply with USDA Organic and Regenerative Organic Certified™ programs?
JPI preparations are made from natural agricultural materials and are widely used on organic and regenerative farms. Certified operations should list each planned preparation in their organic system plan and obtain approval from their certifying agent before use. JPI can provide current ingredient information and supporting documentation through the Product Information page.
Who is using biodynamic preparations?
Last season, JPI alone supplied more than 2,100 clients in more than 30 countries. Demeter-USA lists 129 certified farms and 77 processors in 2024.
Biodynamic Preparations
What is the difference between using Pfeiffer Compost Starter and the six individual compost preparations?
Can the preparations be mixed together?
Apply each prep individually the first season. Later—if time is tight—earth-type sprays such as Barrel Compound (BC) and BD 500 may be stirred together for the last 20 minutes and applied at dusk. Most practitioners apply 501 and 508 separately. If you choose to blend any preparations, trial a small area first. Keep records and take before/after photographs so you can track your research and share what you learn.
Are the preparations safe for vegetables?
Yes. JPI preparations are generally safe for vegetable gardens when stored, mixed, and applied according to the current product instructions. They are made from natural agricultural materials and are not formulated with synthetic chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Follow the preparation-specific mixing, application, and harvest guidance, and wash produce normally before eating. The preparations themselves are agricultural inputs and should not be consumed.
Are the preparations vegetarian?
Traditional methods use a cow horn for BD 500, a stag bladder for BD 502, bovine intestine for BD 503, an animal skull for BD 505, and mesentery for BD 506. BD 501, BD 504, BD 507, and BD 508 do not use animal sheaths. JPI blends such as Pfeiffer Field & Garden Spray and Pfeiffer Compost Starter contain manure and other animal-derived ingredients. Review https://www.jpibiodynamics.org/pages/product-information or contact JPI before ordering if you need to avoid animal-derived materials.
How should I use the sprays safely around children and pets?
JPI preparations are made from natural agricultural materials and are not formulated with synthetic chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Use them as directed: store them securely, avoid ingestion and eye contact, wash hands after handling, and keep children and pets away from mixing and freshly treated foliage until it is dry. The preparations are agricultural inputs, not food. If accidental ingestion or significant exposure occurs, seek appropriate medical or veterinary advice.
How can I tell if the preparations are working?
Simple lab tests—soil respiration, active carbon, or PGPB counts—give quantitative confirmation.
How should I store the preparations between uses?
What are preparations BD 500–508 and what do they do?
BD 500 (horn manure) is applied to soil; BD 501 (horn silica) is applied as a fine foliar spray. BD 502 yarrow, BD 503 chamomile, BD 504 stinging nettle, BD 505 oak bark, BD 506 dandelion, and BD 507 valerian are the six compost preparations. BD 508 uses Equisetum arvense (horsetail) as a fresh or fermented tea for fungal and moisture-related conditions. Follow the current JPI instructions for the exact amount, stirring time, timing, and application method.
The Science
Is biodynamics backed by science?
Yes. Long-term field trials and peer-reviewed studies have examined biodynamic farming’s effects on soil biology, organic matter, nutrient cycling, crop quality, biodiversity, and whole-farm resilience. JPI shares study-specific findings through its Research page and Applied Biodynamics archive so readers can review the methods and results directly.
What do recent peer-reviewed studies say about Horn Manure (BD 500) and Horn Silica (BD 501)?
Recent field and laboratory studies have examined BD 500 and BD 501 in vineyards, field crops, and soil systems, including their relationships with root growth, soil microbial communities, crop quality, and soil structure. Visit JPI’s Research page and Applied Biodynamics archive for study-specific citations and findings.
What scientific contribution did Alex Podolinsky make?
Alex Podolinsky adapted biodynamic preparation-making and application for broad-acre dryland agriculture. His work emphasized high-quality BD 500, precise stirring, timely application, close field observation, and the practical regeneration of soil structure on working farms.
How did Pfeiffer’s data challenge the N-P-K mindset?
He concluded that “living humus, not sheer tonnage of soluble N-P-K, governs plant nutrition.” His compost assays measured robust microbial respiration and stable, crumbly structure absent in purely chemical treatment
Why focus on microbes instead of just N-P-K numbers?
N-P-K measures three major plant nutrients, but fertile soil is also a living biological system. Bacteria, fungi, roots, organic matter, air, and water work together to cycle nutrients and build soil structure. Biodynamic preparations complement sound nutrient management by supporting active compost and living soil processes.
What is NPK?
N-P-K stands for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, the three primary nutrients listed on fertilizer labels. Healthy plants also depend on trace minerals, living organic matter, balanced pH, water, air, and an active soil food web.
Where can I read the research for myself?
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, OENO One, and Scientific Reports – regular peer-reviewed articles on biodynamic soils and crops.
Pfeiffer’s Bio-Dynamic Farming & Gardening (includes original compost and chromatography data).
Podolinsky’s Bio-Dynamic Introductory Lectures for large-farm case studies.
Does biodynamics improve nutrient density in food?
Biodynamic farming is designed to support nutrient-dense crops by building biologically active soil, increasing organic matter, and encouraging balanced plant growth. Research has reported crop-quality differences in some side-by-side comparisons; consult the linked studies for crop-specific findings.
How can I stay current with new scientific findings?
New peer-reviewed articles appear periodically, covering soil biology, crop quality, and climate-resilience outcomes.
Application
In what order, and at what time of day, should I apply the sprays?
BD 500 (horn-manure): 1 hr stir; dusk soil spray at planting or before incorporating green manures.
BD 501 (horn silica): 1 hr stir; ultra-fine foliar mist at sunrise on leaves of plants, several days after BD 500, and again post-blossom for flavor.
BD 508 (horsetail tea): simmer/steep; spray on soil (evening) or foliage (morning) whenever prolonged damp invites fungus.
Do I spray soil, plants, or both?
How often should the sprays be used?
BD 500 at early spring, mid-season green-manure turn-in, and autumn;
BD 501 at 3-leaf, flowering, post-fruit-set and after long cloudy spells;
BD 508 whenever damp conditions persist.
Quality gains peak ~9 weeks after application.
Application may be less frequent in subsequent years.
Should I treat soil before or after planting?
What’s the deal with moon phases and cosmic rhythms?
What kind of container is best for stirring?
Glass works, and so does food-grade plastic. Never use vessels that once contained chemicals.
Whatever container is used, it must be sufficiently large to leave plenty of room for the liquid to move freely throughout because the water rises along the edges as the stirring speed increases.
When should I spray? Must I wake before dawn?
For maximum effect, begin stirring leaf sprays before sunrise and apply immediately. Stir soil sprays in late afternoon and finish before sunset—times when earthly and cosmic forces meet.
Do I really have to stir for an hour?
Reverse direction after each full vortex (roughly every 30–60 seconds), to create chaos and a new vortex, while stirring for one hour. This can be done by hand or with a stirring machine. In the scope of a year, this is a very small investment for a big reward of fertility.
What size sprayer works for ¼ acre versus two acres? Do I need a power sprayer?
For one to two acres, a 4-gallon backpack mist-blower or diaphragm pump saves time. Above two acres, use an ATV-mounted boomless nozzle at 3 gallons per acre.
What do I do with leftover stirred solution?
Apply the solution immediately using the current instructions for that preparation. If any remains, use it only in another location or manner specifically allowed by the same JPI instructions. Do not store stirred solution overnight.
Can I mix biodynamic sprays with liquid fertilizers or compost teas?
What happens if I skip a year?
Resume with an intensive sequence: Horn Manure, Barrel Compost, then Horn Silica every two months for one season to rebuild momentum.
A practical example is yogurt: it does very little good to eat yogurt rarely. It is the repeated applications that provide the sustained benefit.
Viticulture
How do biodynamic wines differ from conventional—or even organic—wines?
Biodynamic wines are vibrant and full of life, smooth yet bursting with acidity, alive and electrifying in a way you may have never experienced before.
Growers consistently report more articulate terroir, spontaneous and stable ferments, and a sharply reduced need for cellar additives when fruit is raised under full biodynamic practice. One trade review summed it up: “This amazing portfolio represents some of the world’s finest, most authentic, artisanal wines. Biodynamic farming practices continue to pay handsome dividends in the quality of these extraordinary offerings.”
What qualifies a vineyard or winery as biodynamic?
If the vineyard is Demeter-certified, are the bottled wines automatically biodynamic?
Grapes may be certified at the farm level, but the bottled wine carries the biodynamic® label only when the separate Demeter Processing Standard is met in the cellar (filtration limits, additive bans, sulfur ceilings, etc.).
Getting Started
What’s the simplest way to start?
Can I practice biodynamics in a tiny garden with no animals?
Can I treat compost tumblers with biodynamics?
How much time will biodynamics add to my week?
An hour may seem like a lot in the moment, but the real work remains ordinary gardening. The kind of rich fertility you can give your garden for a mere hour of time is priceless.
What results should I expect the first year?
Start with a small treated area and keep notes through the season. Look for changes in soil tilth, root development, earthworm activity, plant balance, moisture handling, flavor, and storage quality. Biodynamic practice builds through repeated applications, good composting, careful observation, and sound farm management.
Where is the best place I can get biodynamic preparations?
If I could use only one preparation, which one matters most?
What is a good first book to introduce me to biodynamics?
Ordering Biodynamic Preparations
How do I order if I live outside the United States?
Before placing an international order, email orders@jpibiodynamics.org with your destination country and the products you need. JPI will confirm availability, shipping options, estimated costs, and whether import permits or phytosanitary documentation may be required. International customers are responsible for destination-country duties, taxes, fees, permits, and import requirements.
What if my package arrives warm—are the preparations ruined?
Open the package and allow the contents to cool gradually. A healthy preparation generally has an earthy smell and the expected texture for that product. If you notice a foul odor, slime, excessive mold, damage, or another concern, email orders@jpibiodynamics.org within seven days of delivery with your order number, a description, and photos when possible. JPI will review the issue and arrange the appropriate solution.
Further Information
How did biodynamics begin—and how did it arrive in America?
Where can I learn more about biodynamics?
Watch free videos online.
Enroll in the Biodynamic Farmer Foundation Year or Development Year programs run by the Biodynamic Demeter Alliance—open to beginners and experienced growers alike.
Attend regional field-days and on-farm workshops listed at biodynamics.com/events.
Are biodynamically-grown products already in stores?
Look for the Demeter certification mark when shopping for certified biodynamic products. Availability varies by region and retailer, so check current product labels and the producer’s certification information rather than relying on a fixed brand list.
Where can I find a structured course in biodynamics?
You can also look to the Pfeiffer Center for their year-long training program.
Can I study online or from my own garden?
Are scholarships or financial aid available?
Apply through the JPI Merit Grant page. JPI reviews applications year-round and supports selected farmers, gardeners, educators, and community projects with biodynamic preparations or educational assistance. Other biodynamic organizations may also offer scholarships for courses, conferences, and workshops.
What about short courses and weekend workshops?
How can I stay connected to the biodynamic community?
The Biodynamic Community on Facebook is another good place to ask questions. Many biodynamic gardeners and farmers subscribe to JPI's Substack for ongoing learning and conversations.
Is anyone using biodynamics to reclaim desert land?
Founded in 1977 by Dr Ibrahim Abouleish, SEKEM began on 70 hectares (~173 acres) of barren sand northeast of Cairo and revived them through biodynamic compost, cover crops and careful water management. Today SEKEM's land is no longer classified as desert thanks to their tireless work reforesting the area. The project stewards well over six thousand desert acres—including a 63-hectare “Greening the Desert” farm in the Bahariya Oasis—and spearheads the Egyptian Biodynamic Association, now working with more than 2,100 smallholder farmers moving to regenerative biodynamic methods. The effort has rebuilt topsoil, moderated local micro-climates and created supply chains for organic cotton, herbs and food sold worldwide.
Where did the cow horn idea originate?
The course took place at Koberwitz (now Kobierzyce, Poland), where a group of farmers unearthed what had been buried per his instructions from the previous season. He demonstrated stirring with his walking stick. This parallels old peasant traditions of stirring and spraying out rich soil over poor areas, a process called Tonsingen ("Tone Singing" or "Clay Singing") that was fading away under the influence of materialistic sciences. Now we understand that much more is spread when making a compost tea, but the science of the time did not understand this. The biodynamic preparations are ways that farmers can create their own living fertilizers without relying on chemical inputs. What is normally considered waste (offal and weeds) are the basis of renewed natural fertility.
How much of U.S. farmland is managed biodynamically?
Globally, India and Egypt each apply biodynamics on more than 100,000 acres, mainly in cotton, spices, and desert reclamation projects.