Weather
Despite the 3 “Ice Saints” from 11-13. May coming the cold nights seem to be over and we will have more burning sun with days that feel very hot in the sun and maybe somewhat cooler in the shade.
With the soils drying out rapidly and the environment putting more stress on the plants this could cause stagnation in the metabolism of plants, inviting exploding aphid populations and fungal attacks subsequently.
Aphid damage to the leaf membrane and can act as disease vectors spreading fungal, bacterial and viral disease organisms.
How to remediate the fungal and insect attacks
Horsetail decoction
Nature has given us wonderful materials to work with using, Stinging Nettles, Comfrey and Field Horsetail (Equisitum Arvensis). Biodynamic insights, research and experience has given us the Horn Silica, the Valerian and other preparations.
Today I would like to concentrate on the first three plants mentioned.
The Horsetail decoction (listed originally as bd preparation 508) is easily prepared and Horsetail easily obtained fresh in the fields, or can be ordered from the BDA in dried form, and is made quickly by bringing 150 g fresh or 300 g dried Horsetail to the boil in 2-3 litres of water and then allowed to simmer for 20 minutes. Then the mix is left for a day to absorb the silica and sulphur from the horsetail plant. Then take 1 part of the decoction and 9 parts of water and either apply it as a soil or foliar application/spray.
The fastest effect for fungal attack is the foliar application and for prevention and long-term effect use it on the soil around your cultivars. Be aware that for prevention and cure the best time to apply the Horsetail is 2-3 days before full moon when the likelihood of fungal attacks is higher.
Comphrey and Stinging Nettle ferments
Concerning the Comfrey and Stinging nettle, we can make ferments by collecting
1 kg fresh plants of either of the two, chopping them up with a spade and then putting them into a 10 litre bucket.
The Stinging Nettle can be used after soaking in water after one day for combatting aphids, spider mites and other sucking insects by spraying it pure onto foliage and aphids. Leave the rest of Stinging Nettle to go through the process of fermentation for another 3-4 weeks and then use to regulate growth and the metabolism for conditions mentioned in the beginning. This might prevent further fungal and aphid attacks in the future.
To help plants to outgrow the damage also, to strengthen the cellular structure and membranes in the plants to make the penetration of leaves of sucking insects and fungal spores more difficult in the future, apply Comfrey Ferment on a regular basis after fermenting it in the same way as the Stinging Nettle ferment.
Comphery Research
According to Henry Doubleday research many decades ago comfrey can help the health and growth of Beans and Tomato plants greatly as it supposedly has the same proportions of nutrients as they have in their cellular structure and therefore, they have an affinity to the make-up of substances in comfrey.
If your ferments get too smelly add a sprinkling of clay or basalt powder after each time you stir the ferment to avoid the unpleasant smell. Stirring also helps oxygenate and reduce the smell – it is ok to put a lid over it.
I wish you luck and much success with your regular application of these magic potions, which have proven themselves for centuries.
Transplanting time until Thursday 15.May
Roots: From Friday 9. to Sat. 10. May 4 pm and Sunday 6am to 4 pm thin direct sown Carrots, Parsnips, Radishes and Beetroots
Tubers: From Sunday 11. from 4:30 pm to Monday evening 12. May are the best days to plant your last maincrop potatoes and your Jerusalem Artichokes and Sweet Potatoes (indoors).
Flowers and Green Manures: On the same day as for tubers work in your leguminous mixes of Green Manure for best results of release of Nitrogen from nodules on their roots.
Leaves: From Tuesday 13. to Thursday 15 at 6:30 pm transplant all your leaf crops for summer and autumn harvesting.
Fruit: From Thursday 6:30 pm until Saturday 17. May (incl.) transplant all warmth loving plants like Tomatoes, Sweet Corn, Ridge and Pickling Cucumbers, Courgettes, Squash and Pumpkins outdoors. Also, all beans raised in the nursery in pots are best transplanted now to be followed up by sowings the following week.
Harvesting
Indoor: Lettuce, Endive, Radiccio, Swiss Chard, Kale, Spinach, Onions, Peas
Outdoor: Asparagus, Broadbean, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Garlic, Kale, Lettuce,
Peas, Perennial Kale, Potatoes, Radish, Rocket, Samphire
Spinach, Spring Onion
Happy gardening
Hans-Günther
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