CalendarPlant vitality & resilience

Lunar & cosmic calendar for plant vitality & resilience

The contribution, measured

62 /100

Time horizon: Ongoing

How it contributes

It guides the timing of preparation applications and green work, integrating them into a coherent rhythm.

What to measure for this pairing

Aligned operationsRecorded applications

Why this goal matters

Biodynamics seeks balanced, resilient vines through the silica preparations, medicinal plants (horsetail, nettle) and calendar work. The aim is a vine that ripens well and better withstands stress and disease.

Resilience comes mostly from the system as a whole — living soil, vigour balance, biodiversity — complemented by the preparations. Documenting the programme lets you assess the effect over seasons.

Goal indicators

Vigour balanceCanopy and cluster healthRecorded foliar applications

Market & certification: Plant resilience underpins the reduction in interventions that biodynamics values.

How to apply the practice

  1. 1Check the calendar for the day type and sap phase.
  2. 2Align preparations and work with the appropriate day.
  3. 3Favour fruit days for tastings and certain operations.
  4. 4Log the dates to evaluate over time.

Frequently asked

Does the biodynamic calendar have a scientific basis?

The effects attributed to lunar/cosmic rhythms are debated and not scientifically settled. Many growers use it as a planning discipline and associate it with better tastings; Demeter certification values working the calendar.

Do I need to follow the calendar for everything?

In practice you prioritise applying the preparations and certain operations and tastings; weather and agronomic conditions always come first.

Same practice, other goals

Same goal, other practicesPlant

Related reading →Biodynamic preparations: how and when to apply 500, 501 and the compost preps

How GrapeFlow helps

The proof Demeter certification demands — logged by plot and date.

Biodynamic calendar

Root, leaf, flower and fruit days and the lunar phases in GrapeFlow, to plan preparation applications and work in step with the calendar.

Electronic field notebook

All operations — compost, cover, animals, dynamisation — logged by plot, ready for certification.

Tasting notes & analyses

Per-lot tastings and analyses over time, to relate the biodynamic programme to how the wine evolves.