oooops pool grade de

16 years ago

I picked up some pool grade DE and used it on the garden before I found out that it is supposedly

a) useless and b) a hazard.

Whoops!

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Comments (3)

ivorysoap76
Original Author
16 years ago
Breathing hazard I'm not really concerned about. I have masks and what not, but are we SURE it's totally useless? It's really hard to find in my area. Pool supply was the only place I could find it.
ivorysoap76
Original Author
16 years ago
Never mind. Is there a way to delete these messages when you've found your answer already? Turns out it's just one of those common debates.

Pool grade is processed differently and the 'sharp' edges have been 'reduced' but not completely eliminated. And, there's a bunch of disagreement whether it works by abrasion or dessication(which has nothing to do with edges). And plenty of old gardeners (and one college garden I found) have been using it with success for ages. And the concern about the pool grade being 75-80% silica is kind of strange as diatoms ARE silica in the first place. Who knew I'd be using my undergrad Marine Biology classes in the garden? HA!

Anyway, point is, I'm going use it since I've got and if it doesn't work, I'll try the other grade.
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There will be "food grade" DE and there will be the DE people use in their swimming pool filters and they are not the same thing. The DE used in the pool filters has been processed to round the stuff so it will not easily clump together and will allow water to flow through while still removing impurities in that water. Food grade DE has not been processed and has the naturally sharp edges the puncture insects skin and has been apporved for use in our food products. Food Grade DE is particularly valuable in grain products and is the DE you buy to control insects in the garden, ie. Safers would be food grade DE. In your compost the DE would help control the flies which are present because the compost is too wet.
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OK, I had that one coming. I read the second part of your post as a question, I see that it's a statement. I aplogize for that. Great link, just what I needed to know. I'm growing gourds and black beans this yaer. I just bought this neglected house and property, and need to do a lot of work before diong any more planting. Lots of white grubs, cut worms, squash bugs will be here soon as well as mexican bean beetles. I've orderd nenatodes for the chafer grubs, cutworms, and fire ants. After reading the artical I think I'll use DE for the bean beetles. Still not sure about the squashbugs yet. Every thing is going on trellises so vine bores should be got with the nematodes.
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Ray Scheel
16 years ago
It is always good to have materials about debated topics posted, even if you found the answer yourself. Another regular topic in that vein is asbestos in vermiculite (not an issue since ~1970, if not earlier)

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oooops pool grade de

Comments (3)

ivorysoap76
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ivorysoap76
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oooops pool grade de

Comments (3)

ivorysoap76Original Author

ivorysoap76Original Author

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Ray Scheel

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ivorysoap76
Original Author

ivorysoap76
Original Author