Just for the record, whether or not a product is suitable for organically certified farms and therefore, in most cases, possibly suitable for the higher standards of biodynamic farms, is not a matter of 'reasonableness.' Acceptable commercial products that have been approved for use on organic farms are listed in the ORMI publication which is on-line at httpL//www.omri.org.
Thomas, I wasn't setting you up when I asked the question. I assumed that the product was OMRI-approved or 'should be' and thought that you might expand on it's natural origins. Instead, it sounds like the sort of chemical concoction that most BD growers wouldn't allow into their gardens....even if it is still in a closed container! I welcome the many new people who have joined the list in the past few months. Learning the sensibilities of biodynamic farming and gardening from this list can be a very slow affair. If you do not have a background in biodynamics, I would strongly urge you to read at least one good introductory book on biodynamics before posting to this list in order to keep your contributions within the range of acceptable and sensible BD approaches. (Or consider taking an internship at a biodynamic farm this coming season.) I wonder how many currently reading the list are clueless as to why Virginia would be burning deer skins to repell deer? If you are, you should raise the question. I do appreciate everyone's willingness to contribute to the conversation. I think a little more background reading and a little assimilation of the biodynamic worldview will help us keep comments within the range of appropriate discussion. Thank you, -Allan Balliett moderator, BD Now! >Hi Allan, > >Tree Guard is not in a pesticide / fertilizer category. Although I've >looked at what it takes to register repellents with the EPA and they do fall >under pesticide rules for some goofy reason even though they don't kill >anything. > >I sent an email to the manufacturer of Tree Guard to find out what they say >about the product being Organic or not. I'll post their reply if and when >they send it. > >Most "Tree Guard" applications are not on food producing plants because you >can't spray it on anything you are going to eat. It coats the surface and >makes leaves and twigs taste really bitter to deer. I did look at what it >was made of, but don't remember the exact details. It seems like it was a >natural source, but I'm just not sure, so it needs to be checked out. > >I think you might get away with spraying fruit trees with the product in the >fall after harvest and in the spring before fruit sets. That should not >bother developing fruit. Since it doesn't wash off, it should not travel to >the fruit... famous last words. I have limited experience working with the >product and I think one should check with the manufacturer before using it >on fruit trees. > >Best Regards, >Thomas Giannou >http://www.tandjenterprises.com > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Allan Balliett" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2001 2:36 PM >Subject: Re: deer problem > > >> >There's a product called "Tree Guard" that can be sprayed on new growth > > > > Thomas, is this product approved for use on organically certified >crops? -Allan > >