Biodynamics

Principles and Practice for Gardeners and Growers

with Robin Snowdon of Limeburn Hill Biodynamic Vineyard

Friday 15 November 2024

10am - 4pm (arrive at 9.30 for coffee/tea)

£120

Group Size - 10 people

How can we understand and work with the spirit of place?

How does the moon affect our gardening?

How can we bring nourishment to the garden in a natural way?

How can we help the land achieve its greatest potential, and produce its healthiest plants?

Biodynamics was the first formalised holistic approach to farming and growing, developed near the beginning of the 20th century, and out of which the organic and regenerative agriculture movements have grown. More and more people are returning to this approach to growing because it offers a wonderful way of caring for your land that is nourishing for not only soil and plants but also for the gardener and the landscape as a whole.

This workshop will introduce you to the history and key principles of biodynamics, as well as practical ways in which this nourishing and healthful approach to growing can be applied directly to your own land. We will begin by looking at the principles that underpin biodynamics – its values and philosophies – as well as the way these principles are applied in a practical way.

We will explore the use of natural treatments, many of which can be grown or created yourself from plants or natural materials found on your land or foraged from nearby. As part of the workshop you will use some of the Biodynamic Preparations in a practical way, applying them to one of the composts at Damson Farm, as well as exploring the process of dynamising – stirring some of the preparations in a particular way to imbue them with energy, vitality, and microbial activity. We will also learn about the way in which all life responds to the rhythms of the cosmos – the moon, sun, stars and planets – and how we can work with that in a garden context.

Biodynamics considers the land as having a spirit – the spirit of place, or genius loci as the Ancient Greek culture described it. It is this understanding that sets biodynamics apart from most other agricultural approaches and offers us, as growers, a deeper connection to the land.

There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions throughout the day, and explore ideas relative to your own growing, as well as taste the results of working biodynamically in some of Limeburn Hill’s biodynamic wines.

Robin and his partner Georgina set up Limeburn Hill Vineyard in Chew Magna, south of Bristol, in 2015. It is the only biodynamic vineyard in the south west and one of only seven in the UK.

Lunch 

Alison will prepare a simple vegetarian lunch including produce from the garden. We will round up the day with tea and cake. If you have any specific dietary requests do let us know on the booking form.

What to Bring

Check the weather forecast before you travel and ensure you bring appropriate clothing, whether that’s waterproofs or sun hats, or possibly both!  You may wish to bring a notebook and camera too.

Getting Here

Directions will be emailed to you a couple of weeks before the workshop. Use Damson Farm rather than the postcode on Google Maps.

Accessible Payment Options

We would like this workshop to be accessible to those are on a low income, particularly, though not exclusively, gardeners or other land workers. If the full price is a stretch for you please email alison@alisonjenkins.co.uk to chat about the options.

Cancellation policy

As a small business it’s not sustainable to offer refunds. However if you need to cancel your place up to 28 days before the event you will be offered a credit towards another workshop.   After that time, the offer only applies if we’ve been able to re-sell the place. It’s not possible to promote cancelled places for re-sale less than 4 days before the event.