LONDON (NNA) - The Prince of Wales has begun adopting some biodynamic farming practices on his Duchy Home Farm close to his Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire. The farm, which is already run on organic principles, has started planting some vegetables in accordance with biodynamic principles.

 

"Biodynamics has a lot going for it," David Wilson, who manages the Dutchy Home Farm, told the Sunday Times newspaper last week. "We are beginning to use some of the principles to decide when we plant some vegetables. If the moon is waxing we plant some seed species and if the moon is waning, others.

 

"There is no doubt that if we plant certain seeds at the right phase of the moon they grow quicker and produce more vigorous plants," he added

 

The Biodynamic Agricultural Association (BDAA), which has in the past supplied the Duchy Home Farm with information, expressed its pleasure that the heir to the British throne was starting to use biodynamic methods: "We are of course delighted that he is starting to embrace BD methods and that through this biodynamics may well become better known to the general public," the association commented.

 

However, Prince Charles' press office was at pains to play down the extent to which biodynamic methods are used on the Duchy Home Farm: "It is not a biodynamic farm," a spokeswoman repeatedly told NNA. "It's just a few elements that are being used," she emphasised, refusing to comment further.

 

Asked how the Prince of Wales had learnt about biodynamics, she said Prince Charles received advice from a range of people.

 

Biodynamic agriculture is the oldest consciously organic approach to farming and gardening, including the use of an astronomical calendar to determine auspicious, planting, cultivating and harvesting times as well as herbal, manure and quartz-based preparations. It is one of the most sustainable types of agriculture and is founded on a holistic and spiritual understanding of nature and the human being, building on the pioneering research work of the Austrian philosopher, scientist and founder of anthroposophy, Rudolf Steiner.