Welcome to the blog of Johnathan Grieve.
I am the proprietor of Avondale wine estate, and pioneer of the BioLOGIC® approach to sustainable viticulture. The transformation of Avondale from over-used and abused land into a thriving, robust vineyard ecosystem has been a personal learning journey of more than a decade long. This blog is where I share some of what I have learnt about promoting life on our farm and the wonderful impact this has had on our handcrafted premium quality wines.
Johnathan Grieve
An Introduction to Humus
There are various forms of carbon ranging from Coal which is a substance to carbon in a system which is Carbon in process. In Biodynamics, different chemical elements are described as different ethers. For instance, nitrogen is the energy ether, hydrogen is the tone ether, and carbon is the life ether. Plants, animals, humans – we are essentially all carbon-based! Hence the reason why carbon is the Life ether and why we are focusing on Humus the ultimate form of soil carbon. It is really the link between the chemical elements and soil life!
Nutrients and their impact on healthy plant growth – the Biochemical Sequence
Avondale’s holistic BioLOGIC® approach ensures that we pay attention to the full spectrum of macro- and micro-nutrients involved in healthy plant nutrition. One of the best models that we have found that encompasses this full spectrum of nutrients is the Biochemical Sequence devised by Hugh Lovel, who is one of the world’s leaders in quantum agriculture and biodynamics.
Nutrients and their impact on healthy plant growth – K is for Potassium
Potassium, with the symbol K and the atomic number 19, is the 8th and last chemical element completing the biochemical sequence required for healthy plant growth. You can read my previous articles on the fascinating interplay of boron, silicon, calcium, sulphur,...
Nutrients and their impact on healthy plant growth – C is for Carbon
The element carbon, with the symbol C and atomic number 6, is the seventh chemical element in the biochemical sequence of essential plant nutrients. It is the chemical basis of all known life. Plants absorb carbon from the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide. In the presence of phosphorus the carbon is prised lose from the carbon dioxide so that it can combine with water to make sugar and release oxygen. The sugars are then taken up in the sap and cells of the plant under the direction of potassium.
Nutrients and their impact on healthy plant growth – P is for Phosphorus
Phosphorus, with the symbol P and atomic number 15, is the sixth chemical element in the biochemical sequence of essential plant nutrients. In the previous article in this series, I likened the role of magnesium in the biochemical sequence required for healthy plant growth to the ‘engine room’. To continue the analogy, phosphorus can be likened to the fuel of life, the energiser. Phosphorus is the energy bridge that transfers electrons between high and low energy states of calcium and silicon. It is not enough for chlorophyll to simply gather the energy of the sun – that energy has to be transferred into producing sugars out of carbon dioxide and water. That can’t happen without phosphorus.
Nutrients and their impact on healthy plant growth – Mg is for Magnesium
Magnesium, with the symbol Mg and atomic number 12, is the fifth chemical element in our biochemical sequence of essential plant nutrients. As the positively charged ion (Mg⁺⁺) at the centre of chlorophyll, no plant could survive without magnesium. Photosynthesis is not possible without it. Due to its presence in chlorophyll, which converts sunlight into the plant’s energy, magnesium can be likened to an engine room. Magnesium is a highly mobile element within the plant and the soil, and is therefore easy to leach and lose. It works closely in conjunction with nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus, and being in balance with these other elements is vital to healthy plant growth.
A Thai Fish Curry that’s a Perfect Winter Warmer
My recent travels in Asia have inspired an interest in cooking curries at home during these cold winter months. One of our favourites is a Thai Fish Curry with Coconut and Turmeric. It’s quick to prepare, easy to make and absolutely delicious! Find the recipe here.