The Compost Preparations 502-507                                        

The Compost Preps - 502-507 - are all made from medicinal herbs. BD502-506 are humus-like, rich in beneficial bacterial life and minerals. BD507 is a liquid. They radiate cosmic influences and forces throughout the compost heap aiding the transformation of compost material into humus.

Just 1 gram of each prep in a compost heap is enough, in much the same way as a small spoon of yogurt in a large bowl of milk is enough to transform the entire bowl of milk into yogurt.

The biodynamic compost preparations 502-507 are applied to the compost heap when it is first made, and to any compost that is brought onto the farm property to aid and regulate the fermentation process. Experience in India and in many countries of using these preparations in composts and liquid manures, has shown that they accelerate the processes of humus formation, and as such avoid losses of valuable plant nutrients.

The preparations 502-507 are made from medicinal herbs and some are made together with a particular animal part and buried in the soil much the same way as the preparation BD500 is made. A full description of how to make and use these preps is given in the book Grasp the Nettle by Peter Proctor. They are all available in India readymade for immediate use.

BD502 is made from the flowers of Yarrow
Achillea millifolium

It helps processes of
Potassium (K)
Sulphur (S)
and trace elements

Grows and flowers well in Kodaikanal

BD503 is made from the flowers of German Chamomile
Matricuria chamomilla

It helps processes of
Calcium (Ca)
and Nitrogen (N)

Grows and flowers well in Kodaikanal

BD504 is made from the leaves of Himalayan Stinging Nettle
Urtica parviflora

It helps processes of
Iron (Fe)
and Magnesium (Mg)

This stinging nettle is indigenous to the northern areas of India in Nainital.

BD505 is made from the bark of the Himalayan Oak in India
Quercus glauca

It helps processes of
Calcium (Ca)

This is one of several evergreen oaks growing in the foothills of the Himalayas. The bark of this oak was found to have 5% Ca - the European oak (Quercus robur) only 2.5%.

BD506 is made from the flowers of Dandelion
Taraxicum officinalis

It helps processes of
Silica (Si)

Grows and flowers well in Kodaikanal.

BD507 is made from the flowers of Valerian
Valeriana officinalis

It helps processes of
Phosphorous(P)

It is prepared as a liquid.

This will only flower well when it is grown where there is a marked difference between winter daylight hours and summer daylight hours. This difference is needed to trigger the flowering process. It grows and flowers in the Himalayan foothills. It will grow but not flower in the hills of Kodaikanal. There is the Valerian hookeriana naturally growing in the Palni hills of Tamil Nadu which could be used.

 Preparation 508 - Casurina Tea                                                   

This is not one of the compost preparations, but is an extra suggestion to help cope with fungus diseases.

It is Equesetum arvense Horsetail Herb or Casurina (Saru).

It is silica rich and is made into a tea to overcome fungus.

1kg of Casurina to 10 litres of boiling water. Use 50mls of this tincture to 10 litres of water.

Spray into the soil or over the plants in the early growing stages.

Spray at Full Moon (2-4 days before) and at Moon opposition Saturn, the same as for preparation BD501.

Bio-Dynamic Preparations BD500, BD501, BD502-507 are made in several places in India and can be purchased from:

Kurinji Organic Farms in Kodaikanal, C. Jeyakaran

Supa Pvt. Ltd. in Nainital, Binita Shah

BD500           BD501 & Cow Horn Clay            BD Preps Intro