The farm applied a sequential Biodynamic spray this week. The purpose behind a sequential spray is to apply all of the Biodyanmic preparations in a short period of time. This particular occasion presented the opportunity for the farm to participate in a spray of unison with other Biodynamic farmers and gardeners around the world, who might also choose to spray at this particular time. This act of solidarity connects Against the Grain to other farmers and gardeners who have similar perspectives and farming practices.
This time also presented a perfect opportunity, according to the Biodynamic calendar, to spray the Biodynamic preparations in order to moderate and balance the patterns of moisture in which we seem to be caught. We don't anticipate that this spray will change weather patterns, but we do anticipate that it will discourage the negative impacts of all this bulk moisture on the crops. Finally, this equential spray presented the perfect opportunity to apply the horn silica preparation on the ripening hay fields. Horn silica encourages more articulation of the flowering grasses, which encourages ripening and increases hay quality.
We'll be watching the weather soon enough for a stretch of three warm, sunny days so that we can cut, rake and bale the hay that will sustain our livestock for the coming winter. Even as we quickly approach the high summer solstice, we are already planning and preparing for the upcoming winter!