Biodynamic agriculture shares the organic view, and holds the assumption that farmers can further enhance the resistance of their crops by reinforcing their built in defenses against pests as well as improve quality of produce through a holistic farming method.

The differences between these approaches can be illustrated by the way in which they deal with one of the most basic challenges farmers face: weeds In a conventional vineyard weeds are seen as competition for nutrients and moisture that the vines desperately need. They are controlled in the quickest and most cost effective way: herbicides.

The organic grower still sees weeds as competition for her vines, but prefers to remove them in a mechanical way or if it needs be with “soft” organically certifiable herbicides. Although this action may be more costly and less effective in the short term, the sustainability of this option outweighs other options over the long term.

In the biodynamic vineyard weeds have a purpose and a sense of place. They are indicative of the farming practice that has taken place in that specific area. They act as messengers of nature that give us information with regards to the condition of our soils: As good vineyard practice improves our soil, so the weeds change. If the soil is too compacted, or too high in some nutrients or too low in others, or if the soil pH changes, they tell us.

With regards to effect of the planetary influences, I think that anyone who stays close to the ocean will agree that the moon has a definite effect on the tides. Take into account that plants consist of more than 90% water. It makes sense that when the pull of the moon is strong (i.e. full moon), more moisture than average will be concentrated in the leaves. At other times though, when the gravitational force of the earth is unhindered, more moisture than average should be concentrated in the roots.

Through the centuries farmers developed a certain wisdom regarding sowing, pruning and harvesting in harmony with the moon and the position of the constellations. During the 20th century Maria Thun, researched and experimented with this information. She identified certain patterns and rhythms that proved that different positions of the moon and different positions of the constellations favored different farming activities. Planting at certain times would produce larger plants for example (full moon), and at other times stronger plants (moon – saturn opposition). She formalized this knowledge into what is now known as the biodynamic calendar.