Biodynamic Sequential Sprays - 2026

Pomological Solutions #4

Have you ever wished you could change the weather? There is little doubt the 2026 has been wet from all the rain making it difficult to get into fields for planting and other tractor work. The cool weather has ensured that disease potential is low to moderate (though still an issue) even with the moisture. That said, we could use a good stretch of warmer, drier weather to move things along. After the freeze on the 21 April the trees certainly don’t have the strain of growing a full crop of fruit, but they still need some heat to accumulate growing degree days (GDD) and to dry out the soil to reduce the potential for root rot issues. Farming is hard enough and so many things are out of our control that it is nerve racking to know what you need to do or what needs to happen, and not having the ability to get into the fields to do it. Biodynamic Sequential sprays are one tool progressive minded growers have used over the years to try and shift weather patterns into their favor. Far from a silver bullet, sequential sprays do seem to work, likely through a combination of practice, intention, and good timing. Yet harnessing the powers of the cosmos (or more clearly, aligning with the powers of the cosmos) is within our reach if we understand the powers (i.e., influences) we are seeking to bring to bear on our orchards and vineyards.

Know Your Roots has been in the process of prepping a site for planting for over a year. Last year, we had to install field drainage to help move water off of the site. Yet even that is proving to be somewhat inadequate. Even though the drainage is doing everything it was supposed to, it can’t keep up with constant rain we’ve been getting. A colleague that is doing the heavy equipment work told me yesterday that he wished growers would start thinking about planting season starting 3-4 weeks later than what we might consider to be a historical average.

The following article was published almost a year ago when we were in a similar patterns. Early 2026 is turning out to be wetter and cooler than 2025, but we can’t sit around and wait forever. Whether you’re a believer or not, doing something is better than doing nothing. This is where Sequential Sprays become a logical consideration.

Republished from April 22 2025

One of the beautiful elements of biodynamic farming is that is allows one to contemplate the magic behind the physical substance. Sure, BD500 is “just” composted manure stuffed into a cow horn, buried over the winter, unearthed, stirred and then applied at homeopathic levels. But what is it about BD500, or any other biodynamic prep, that makes it so special, so magical? If it is not the substance per se, then it must be the force or influence, right? Capturing and concentrating the cosmic energy into a physical substance is akin to capturing lightning in a bottle.

Imagine now that you could apply these forces not just to your plants or your farm or even your entire property, but to the entire bioregion, affecting all four primary elements - fire, air, water, earth - in a way that shifts the way they come together and affects climate - not just weather - patterns¹. Some may call it wishful thinking, others lucky timing, others just normal shifts in weather patterns. But the reality is that we have always had an affect on the climate and weather patterns through our actions on Earth. Why not then through the use of biodynamic preparations, even if it just brings us closer to the world around us and the work that we do?

Biodynamic sequential sprays are not something new, but they aren’t particularly old either. What they are is not used as much as they should be especially in our current turbulent climate-chaos² times. The practice of sequential sprays was discovered by Hugh J. Courtney back in 1988 when, facing a third year of drought in Virginia, he put his deep knowledge of the biodynamic preparations into action³. Nearly 40 years on sequential spraying still seems to be one of lesser used biodynamic practices involving the preparations. I myself have used the sequential sprays numerous times over the years with, I shall say, pretty good success.

There is a huge El Nino building in the Pacific Ocean right now with some indications that it could be the biggest ever on record - bigger than the El Nino of 1877. Some are terming it as the ‘Godzilla El Nino’. Of course, only time will tell but the indications are not promising. What that means to farmers everywhere around the globe and the people that depend on them for food could catastrophic⁴. That’s the Pacific. Meanwhile we have the stalling of the AMOC and how the two work together is above my paygrade to comment on. However, when I queried Claude, the feedback (I won’t say answer) I was given is that the models, as they are, point to a warmer, wetter, more variable 2026 growing season, while the winter (2026-27) will be milder with less snow. How it actual plays out only time will tell. So, we must change our thinking and perceptions and practices to match the new reality. Bottom line: resilience is key and Sequential Sprays are a valuable tool to consider!

While actually changing the weather itself is probably not in the cards - ergo effecting longer-term climate patterns and not whether its going to rain today is the objective - the use of biodynamic sequential sprays (BSS) do seem to help influence near-term weather patterns, with the plant fundamentally attracting what it needs best for health and vitality. And whether it is just fortuitous timing or there is something else going on, I do believe connecting with and being a part of what’s going on around us in nature and the cosmos (is there any difference?) is a critical part of successful farming. No one has really spoken about the role of the farmer in the success (or failure) of sequential sprays, but no doubt a positive mental attitude goes a long way.

The Biodynamic Calendar

Its important that everyone/anyone considering spraying any biodynamic preparations, and especially when applying the sequential sprays, have at least a basic understanding of the biodynamic calendar. The time of spraying preparations is perhaps but not as important as the actual spraying (many people will tell you its better to spray than not) and to guide you there are three biodynamic calendars.

Maria Thun - this is probably the one that has the most history and research behind it. Not that it differs from the others, but the work that Maria et al. did in the field of biodynamic research is unparalleled. As it relates to the calendar you can rest assured that it is based solidly on good research.

Stella Natura - I like this one since it is easy to understand, but also has the best essays! Now published by Spikenard Honeybee Sanctuary⁵ in Floyd, VA, Stella Natura gives you the same basic information as Maria Thun with deep anthroposophical articles and amazing graphics.

Celestial Planting calendar⁶ - this one is the most astrologically based of the three. Gary Caton, astrologer extraordinaire, does the research to provide the indications and nuance of the calendar.

If the truth be told, I use each of them, usually checking one against the other. Sometimes I prefer more research and other times some more gentle reading. They each provide a unique, but similar, point of view into the workings of the cosmos from here on earth - so from a practical perspective there is little difference in my view. For the user, just being able to know when there is a root, leaf, flower, or fruit day is critical when considering the sequential sprays. Please refer to each calendar for more guidance on how to use them.

The following sections were borrowed liberally from Josephine Porter Institute’s old Applied Biodynamic newsletters as noted in the footnote references. When something is written so well that it doesn’t need to be rewritten, go with it.

Sequential Spraying When It Is Too Wet

• Identify three fire/warmth days in a row, when the moon stands in front of a “fire/fruit” constellation: Aries, Leo or Sagittarius. The preferred position of the moon may be waning, ascending and near perigee (the reverse of when you want to attract moisture).

  • The evening of the first day, barrel compound would be sprayed.

  • The following morning at dawn, equisetum would be sprayed and in the

  • The evening of that day, horn manure (BD #500) would be sprayed.

  • The last day, at sunrise, horn silica (BD #501) is sprayed.

• If only two fire days are available, the abbreviated sequence may be used by again combining BC and BD #500 the first evening and combining BD #501 and BD #508 the following morning. One could also spray on air/flower days as a second choice.

Sequential Spraying When It Is Too Dry

• Identify three consecutive “leaf/water” days that are not in a “black out” or unfavorable period. Leaf/water days occur when the moon sits in front of a “water” constellation: Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces. It is also good to consider ascending and descending positions of the moon. A descending position would be favorable to call in moisture. A waxing or full moon is also preferable

  • In the evening of the first day, spray Barrel Compost (BC) out over your property.

  • In the morning of the second day, at dawn, spray out BD #501 (horn silica) over the same area. In the evening, spray out BD #500 (horn manure).

  • On the morning of the third day, spray out BD #508 Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) either as fresh tea or the fermented version that has been stirred for 20 minutes.

• If only two leaf/water days are available, the abbreviated sequence may be used by again combining BC and BD #500 the first evening and combining BD #501 and BD #508 the following morning. One could also spray on earth/root days as a second choice.

Using Milk and Honey

The late Hugh Lovel wrote in Quantum Agriculture about using Milk and Honey as the final sequence in the sequential spray process. Milk being earthly, calcium, and lime based, having a similar influence as the 500 or BC sprays, is sprayed the third evening. While honey, being cosmic and silica related would have a similar influence as 501 or 508, and is applied the third morning.

Hugh Lovel quotes/paraphrases Hugh Courtney on the use of milk and honey thusly:

A land flowing with milk and honey implies a countryside rich in nourishment for the whole human being, both physically and spiritually. …. Not many farms flow with milk and honey, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea. Milk supports growth and development of the whole human being, while honey supports maturity and refinement. …. Honey strengthens the will and gives the ego a well-adjusted sense of security, especially when the etheric and astral bodies already have a good start. Courtney suggests spraying homeopathic milk and honey to establish these patterns in the landscape as an adjunct to sequential spraying. Quantum Agriculture: Biodynamics and Beyond, Lovel, H. p168.

These is little doubt in my mind that sequential spraying works, just not in the way that secular scientists operate. Fundamentally as nourishment for the human soul connected to the land and the work that we do, but practically by helping balance and shift the climatic energies that dictate the weather patterns we experience. Utilizing the practice of sequential spraying does take time and commitment, but what doesn’t these days? Sequential spraying will bring what is needed - with the guidance of the farmer - to the farm organism. In a time of imbalance on the planet, there is little in the utilization of sequential spraying that can’t benefit humanity and all living creatures.

1. Weather refers to the day-to-day atmospheric conditions at a specific location, while climate describes the long-term average weather conditions in a region.

2. The terms ‘climate change’ and ‘global warming’ do not properly encompass the world we are about face. I will try to use ‘climate chaos’ as the more appropriate term.

3. Sequential Spraying: Illusion, Remarkable Coincidence, or Reality?

4. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/06/opinion/el-nino-climate.html

5. https://spikenardfarm.org/

6. https://www.heartandsoilmagazine.com/planting-calendar