permaculture

["Lawrence F. London, Jr." <lfl@intrex.net>]

J. Kolenovsky wrote:

> For some reason, reading about Kohlrabi, made me they about
> Diatamaeceous Earth (must be a miswired brain link).
>
> Other day had a guy come in and wanted some "DE". I asked for "swimming
> pool filter?". "Yes"  he replied, "Oh, Diatamaeceous Earth, we have some
> over here." Him - "No. DE". Bit tongue. Took him over there and pointed
> to the box, "Diatamaeceous Earth". He said he wanted some "DE". I
> explained it was DE and how it was formed many moons ago. He looked
> puzzled. Anyway after climbing up a ladder 15 feet to get him 3 40#
> boxes that didn't spew out DE powder, he was finally convinced that they
> spew powder. He wasn't happy with that but took the box and said, "Thank
> you for the DE".

Real, pure DE is not swimming pool filter material that originally was DE
but has been altered so that it has lost its beneficial insect-controlling 
qualities
and is downright dangerous to have around the house and should never be used 
around food products.
It is dangerous to breate this stuff. Real DE is OK and you can mail order it from many organic amendments suppliers and 
other sources. You should contact him and tell him to return it for a refund plus a nice garden tool as a bonus.
It is not likely HD would be selling real DE as it is not used for swimming pool maintenance. The modified DE has its 
sharp edges removed and possibly other alterations; not safe around food or to breathe. Search this and other ag list 
message archives and you'll find more about this and the risks of SP DE.

LL
--
Lawrence F. London, Jr.
Venaura Farm
lfl@intrex.net
info@market-farming.com
IM: lawrence.london@pandion.be & lfl@amber.org.uk
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