Podolinsky’s Field Observations

Alex Podolinsky’s books invite close observation of plant form, soil structure, and the fruit of a changing farm. These three field accounts offer practical details for growers learning from biodynamics.

Crops and wheat: signs of excessive nitrogen uptake

Podolinsky describes plants influenced by excessive nitrogen as “grow fast; are overgrown; blue green and hang water filled.” He also notes still-green wheat lying flat. Those are the visible signs he gives on page 7 of Bio-Dynamics: Agriculture of the Future.

Pasture after three months without rain

In Pictures 11–12 of the same book, Podolinsky shows Trevor Cobbledick’s biodynamic pasture after three rainless months. Its “deep, black Bio-Dynamic soil has continuing pasture growth.” About 20 metres away, the conventional soil and plants are “under moisture stress.” The paired account appears on page 15 of Bio-Dynamics: Agriculture of the Future.

Citrus grove: soil structure and orange flavor

In a citrus grove that had been managed organically for ten years, Podolinsky describes white-clover-rich cover but poor soil structure and white hair-root development, especially where some “Round-Up” had been used. The oranges first tasted “acidy bitter.” As biodynamic soil structure developed over additional years, he reports that “acidity reduced noticeably and was replaced by choicest sweet flavours.” Read the full account on page 55 of Bio-Dynamic Agriculture Introductory Lectures, Volume III.

For preparation quantities, timing, and handling in your own garden or farm, use JPI’s current product instructions alongside these book observations.