How to Convert a Vineyard to Biodynamics

Transitioning a vineyard to biodynamics can seem like a daunting task, not even considering Demeter certification standards. When plants are habituated to synthetic fertilizers, the soil itself tends to become sickly and needs to be revitalized. Biodynamics is not merely organic, biodynamics is organic plus additional regenerative practices.

The late Alex Podolinsky in Australia would use a cover crop blend with dozens of species in it. While this will certainly work, more recent research by Dr. Christine Jones indicates that if you use only four functional groups in your cover crop blend, you will have what she calls "total nutrient cycling." This might be tillage radish (brassica family), phacelia (borage family), sunflowers (aster family), and oats (grass family). Any number of these might be swapped out for a more suitable cousin in your particular situation. 

“In the early days we ran trials. Depleted soil was deep ripped. We sowed the right species and applied 500 and had the well known results. In six years we raised the organic matter levels from 0.9% in the top 4” to approximately 12% and, varyingly, to 2.4% at 40” depth. Ripping exactly the same way etc, but without 500, the soil biology developed to 20 cm depth, no further. In modern farming the right soil treatment and the Bio-Dynamic preparations must be applied together." 

-Alex Podolinsky, Bio-Dynamic Agriculture Introductory Lectures, Vol. 2, pg. 15.

The right cover crops, proper deep ripping (to restore capillary action) and the right bio-stimulants must be applied together. It is important to note that Podolinsky's approach to the horn manure ("500") was to use biodynamic horn manure plus an aging process in which all the compost preparations are added. The result is a specially "Prepared 500" which brings the full effect of all the biodynamic preparations to the farm in a single spray, much like the effects of our proprietary Pfeiffer™ Field and Garden Spray.

Weaning established vines off synthetic fertilizers without cutting yields involves a process recommended by Enzo Nastati, who suggests at least a three-year transition plan from traditional NPK farming to dynamic agriculture.



General Principles for Transitioning a Vineyard to Biodynamics

Keep in mind these are very basic and very general. They are not adapted to your farm situation. That has to be done creatively by people on the ground and in the know. These cannot be applied thoughtlessly or without careful consideration of the distinct qualities of your own plot. Your specific situation will be unique and these abstract ideas will have to be custom-tailored to each place.

 

 

Year 0: do NOT go "cold turkey" off conventional growing methods. Only transition gradually to an ecological mode of farming. If you have not first restored the microbiological diversity of your ecosystem and established total nutrient cycling with proper cover cropping, an abrupt transition will likely be a failure.

The key thing is this: do NOT remove the use of fertilizers without also ADDING the biodynamic preparation AND also adding a diverse cover crop of a least "four functional groups" (see: Christine Jones) plus the biodynamic preparations. 

ONLY reduce fertilizer input if you are also adding biodynamic preparations AND diverse cover cropping to encourage total nutrient cycling. 

Not all established vines will necessarily be compatible with conversion to biodynamics if they are so reliant on annual supplemental fertilization. In some situations, vines may not be amenable to a transition to an ecological model and new ones may need to be planted. As with most things, the correct answer is usually "It depends!"

 

Year 1: only reduce fertilizer use by a quarter (down to 75%) and add the biodynamic preparations 500 biodynamic horn manure as a soil spray and 501 biodynamic horn silica as a foliar spray. (one unit of 500 horn manure and one unit of 501 horn silica per acre the first year)

Add proper diverse cover crop mix in combination with the 500 biodynamic horn manure or the Pfeiffer Field Spray. When cover crop is at 20% blossom, mow it down or turn it under.

Year 1 will likely be though roughest transition year because you are trying to re-enliven a deadened soil and ween it off an addiction to fertilizer inputs. Consider the regular application of Equisetum arvense (Horsetail) as an antifungal spray. 

Begin making your own compost. A Johnson-Su Bioreactor for easy compost is worth considering. Be sure to add the compost preparations to your compost pile! Even if you only use this compost as a "compost tea" across your farm, any indigenous microorganisms you can culture in a healthy way will help move your operation to greater ecological and financial independence. Do NOT compost diseased plant parts. Those are better burned.

Ehrenfried Pfeiffer recommends using the leftover grape skins and pulp and feeding them to hogs, then composting the grape skin hog manure before reintroducing this back to the vineyard.

 

Year 2: reduce fertilizer use by another quarter (down to 50%) and apply two sprays of biodynamic horn manure, one in spring and one in autumn.

Add proper diverse cover crop mix in combination with the 500 biodynamic horn manure or the Pfeiffer Field Spray. (two units of 500 horn manure per acre per year)

When cover crop is at 20% blossom, mow it down or turn it under.

Apply one application of 501 biodynamic horn silica across all grapes before flowers open and a second application before harvest time. (two units of 501 horn silica per acre per year)

Wait at least a year before applying any of your compost. Let it age thoroughly. 

 

 

Year 3: reduce fertilizer use by another quarter (down to 25%) and apply two sprays of biodynamic horn manure, one in spring and one in autumn.

Add proper diverse cover crop mix in combination with the 500 biodynamic horn manure or the Pfeiffer Field Spray. (two units of 500 horn manure per acre per year)

When cover crop is at 20% blossom, mow it down or turn it under.

Apply one application of 501 biodynamic horn silica across all grapes before flowers open and a second application before harvest time. (two units of 501 horn silica per acre per year)

Use compost if it is properly aged. Get it tested for pathogens if uncertain before using. Finished compost should be completely devoid of any offensive odor whatsoever. It should look and smell wonderful. Now that you're producing your own compost containing all the biodynamic compost preparations, your compost is both indigenous microorganisms and biodynamics -- the best of both worlds!

 

 

Year 4: reduce fertilizer use by another quarter (down to 0%) and apply two sprays of biodynamic horn manure, one in spring and one in autumn.

Add proper diverse cover crop mix in combination with the 500 biodynamic horn manure or the Pfeiffer Field Spray. (two units of 500 horn manure per acre per year)

When cover crop is at 20% blossom, mow it down or turn it under.

Apply one application of 501 biodynamic horn silica across all grapes before flowers open and a second application of 501 biodynamic horn silica before harvest time. (two units of 501 horn silica per acre per year.)

Continue to make compost. Burn diseased plant parts rather than leaving them to reinfect the soil and plants. 

 

If you have questions, feel free to reach out to our staff at info@jpibiodynamics.org or call our office at (540) 745-7030