Post harvest, we sprayed the famous preparation 500P across the whole of the estate, which is cultivated using biodynamic methods. This biodynamic preparation is ultra natural, made from dried horn manure and plants… yarrow, chamomile, dandelion, nettle, valerian and oak bark… organic matter rich in minerals that acts as a bio-stimulant.

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Its role is to stimulate microbial life in the soil, encourage vine root development, and improve the general structure of the soil.

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We applied it at the waning moon to optimise its effect, over four days from 28th September to 1st October using a traditional copper backpack, on soils that had already been loosened to facilitate its absorption. Ideally it should be applied on damp soils, which was the case for two of the days, but rain is still all too rare!

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Generally we apply it twice a year at the changing of the season, in autumn and in spring when the soils are dormant. This is followed up in May by preparation 501P which acts on the foliage.