Biodynamic Preparations 502 - 508: The Compost set utilised in our vineyard

At Clos Henri, we are following a calendar which has been established according to the moon influence and the astrological signs. The astrological signs are divided in four forces: Fire, Water, Air and Earth. It leads to four different days to work on agriculture and viticulture - one day to work on the roots, one day for the soil, one day for the leaves and one day for the flowers (or buds). 

Depending on the day, we will make natural preparation to give energy and strength to those elements.

• Preparation 502 - made from the flowers of Yarrow 

It helps processes of Potassium (K), Sulphur (S) and trace elements. This preparation is connected the planet of Venus.

It is made during spring with flowers picked and naturally dried the previous summer. The flowers are moisturized and place in a stag bladder, which if it is dry needs to be also moisturized. The bladder is stitched and hung on a branch of a tree and left there during spring and summer then placed in a terracotta pipe during autumn and winter. Retrieved in a jar in a shady place.

• Preparation 503 - made from the flowers of German Chamomila 

It helps processes of Calcium (Ca) and Nitrogen (N). This preparation is connected to the planet of Mercury.

A cow intestine previously washed is filled in autumn with flowers picked and dried in spring and early summer. The sausage-like form is buried in the soil during winter and retrieved in spring. Store in a jar in a shady place.

• Preparation 504 - made from the apogeal part of the Stinging Nettle

It helps processes of Iron (Fe) and Magnesium (Mg). This preparation is connected to the planet of Mars.

It is the only preparation that does not require an animal organ to be made due its strong connection.

The whole plant (leaves, flowers and stems) is harvested and dried. In autumn, terracotta pipes are filled with the plant and buried in the ground for one full year. The resultant material is sieved and stored in a jar in a shady place.

• Preparation 505 - made from Oak bark

It helps processes of Calcium (Ca). This preparation is connected to the moon.

The skull of a domestic animal is stuffed with the grated bark of the tree and buried in a marshy decomposing place and left there during autumn and winter. Retrieve and store in a jar in a shady place.

• Preparation 506 - made from the flowers of Dandelion

It helps processes of Silica (Si).This preparation is connected to the planet of Jupiter.

It is made in autumn with flowers picked and dried during spring and summer. A mesentery of a cow is filled with the flowers, stitched and buried in the ground during winter. In spring it is retrieved and stored in a jar in a shady place.

• Preparation 507 - made from the flowers of Valerian

It helps processes of Phosphorous (P). This preparation is connected to the planet of Saturn. It is prepared as a liquid.

In spring one portion of dry flowers and four of water are mixed together in a jar, left in the sunlight, stirring daily. When the color turns amber the preparation is ready. Store in sunlight, in an air-tight bottle.

• Preparation 508 - made from the horsetail

  This plant contains about 75% of Silica (Si). It's cut and dried. 

It is used to reduce the effects of excessive water around plants that would lead to fungus. 

Clos Henri is not certified biodynamic as it is a long process and we are practicing it in the vineyard and not the winery. However we do believe there are true benefits going along this process and we are getting impressive results in the vineyard: healthy soil, premium-quality grapes..