August 31

It’s National Diatomaceous Earth Day on Saturday, August 31! Most landscapers are “in the know” about this useful sedimentary rock for two reasons. First, it’s a great all natural insecticide that when sprinkled on lawns will actually slice into and kill insect bodies without harming plants. Second, it’s also an effective component in natural soil amendments to reduce water usage, improve drainage, reduce compaction and improve soil structure. Diatomaceous earth, also known as DE, is found in large deposits worldwide and mined primarily in the United States, Mexico, Chile, Peru, France, Spain, Denmark, and China. Discovered by Peter Kasten in Germany around 1836, DE is known for its absorbency, filtration properties, polishing properties and stabilizing qualities. Long before Kasten’s discovery, though, the world was using diatomaceous earth. Ancient Greeks used it as an abrasive as well as a building material in light-weight bricks. In pre-historic times, diatomite was used in ice-age cave paintings in France. Today, DE is one of the most useful and durable substances known. DE sees nearly ubiquitous use in the filtration of liquids, including, beer, wine, water (for swimming), chemicals, food and pharmaceuticals; DE provides the “flatting” in almost all flat paints; DE prevents blocking in plastic film; and when oil is spilled, DE is often the first choice to absorb it. While still being formed today, some of the deposits of DE developed millions of years ago. DE deposits are formed as diatoms, which are single celled plants, fall to the bottom of bodies of ...