Category: Landscaping

Diatomaceous Earth – Mother Nature’s Secret Weapon: What Is It, How to Use It, Where to Find It

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a powerful, inexpensive solution to most of your health issues. It’s probably the simplest and most straightforward health product out there on the market. It can be used as a beauty product, an internal cleanser, or a deep revitalizer for the whole human body.

(Organic Lifestyle Magazine by Claude Borel) There it is—a bit of diatomaceous earth resting at the bottom of my water glass. It might not taste delicious, but its ability to cleanse my body and fill it with sought-after nutrients more than makes up for it.

Where Does DE Come From?

Diatomaceous earth is the waste product of unicellular algae. Over a 30 million year period, it has taken the form of white sedimentary rock that is typically harvested from the bottom of oceans, lakes, and rivers around the globe. After it is harvested and dried, DE is a fine, white dust.

In 1836-1837, Peter Kasten was the first to discover DE while drilling a well in Hausselberg Hill, which is located in Luneburg Heath, Germany. Until the first world war, most of the worldwide production of diatomaceous earth was from this region.

de-diatomaceous-earth-food-gradeThere are a few deposits here in the United-States. In Colorado and in Clark County, Nevada, there are deposits that are up to several hundred meters thick in places.

  • Marine deposits have been worked in the Sisquoc Formation in Santa Barbara County, California near Lompoc and along the Southern California coast.
  • Additional marine deposits have been worked in Maryland,Virginia, Algeria and the MoClay of Denmark.
  • Freshwater lake deposits occur in Nevada,Oregon, Washington, and California.
  • Lake deposits also occur in interglacial lakes in the eastern United States

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What Has Diatomaceous Earth Historically Been Used For?

Throughout its history, DE has been used in chemistry labs for various experiments and procedures when filtering very fine particles. Diatomaceous earth is also used in the filtering processes for drinking water. Fish tanks, swimming pools, beer, wine, sugar, syrups, and honey are all filtered in a medium containing DE.

diatomaceous-earth-diatoms-under-a-microscopeThe agriculture field has greatly benefited  from this product, as it has been used as an insecticide and pesticide, and it has been used as a soil additive for growing potted plants. It serves as an anti-caking agent in grain storage and livestock feeds and has been used for its mild abrasive qualities in products like toothpaste, metal polishes, and facial scrubs.

What Is Diatomaceous Earth Predominantly Used for and Known for at the Present Time?

The usefulness of diatomaceous earth ranges from an internal one (as a natural medicine or supplement), to a solution you can apply in-and-around the house in order to protect yourself from unwanted vermin. DE, amazingly, can also be made into a beauty product with its special and unique properties highly effective against “aesthetic defects” which tend to appear as Father Time catches up with all of us. Here’s a quick list to showcase its numerous benefits:

  • Help the body function and regenerate itself properly
  • Detox the body and kill parasites
  • Have an attractive and improved physical appearance
  • Kill bugs, ants, fleas, and the like
Related: How to Kill Fungal Infections

#1: To Help the Body Function and Regenerate Itself Properly

DE is very rich in silica (85% of it), a trace mineral vital for bone health, artery health, and almost all vital organs like the liver. We used to be able to get our silica from nutrient-rich foods. Unfortunately, traditional farming methods have depleted the soil and the possibility of filling our needs through traditional I-eat-and-my-body’s-needs-will-be-met has become a somewhat utopian thing of the past. That’s why this white rock has become so fascinating to so many people. Silicon, calcium, sodium, magnesium, and iron are only a few of the trace-minerals that you’ll find in the white powder, all of which promote bone and muscle growth. People fighting high cholesterol will be satisfied, too, as it’s known to have a regulating effect on cholesterol levels.

#2: To Detox the Body and Kill Parasites

Within a few months of taking diatomaceous earth most will rid the body of  all parasites and most toxic metals as well.

#3: To Have an Attractive and Improved Physical Appearance

Another interesting facet of diatomaceous earth is that it can be used as a fascial mask and exfoliant.

As a matter of fact, when it comes to the skin, it can be used anywhere, and your skin will thank you for it. But it’s not just the skin that can benefit from diatomaceous earth. It’s also your teeth, your hair, your fingernails: all of which will become stronger and healthier over time.

Related: Heal Gum Disease and Cavities Naturally – Step by Step

#4: To Kill Bugs

The benefits of DE truly seem endless at times, and then again there’s still much more to cover. DE is useful against any type of insect infestation you might have in your house. Bugs adapt to conventional pesticides and become immune to their killing agents.  DE works by mechanical action, disrupting their waxy shell, making them more prone to eventual death by dehydration.

DE will also purify any room it has been applied in by detoxifying the ambient air.

Diatomaceous Earth Is Not Profitable to Pharmaceutical Companies

If this product is so great, why haven’t you heard about it before?

The reason most people remain unaware of this earth’s blessing is because of money. It’s as simple as that. Big business and influential pharmaceutical companies, can only profit from a product if they possess the exclusive rights to its merchandising. That certainly won’t happen with diatomaceous earth since the product comes directly from the earth’s soil.

As a result, DE is one of the hundreds of natural alternatives that get overlooked by doctors and pharmaceutical enterprises. People know about it because their friend, their relative, or someone they trust recommended it to them. If something is genuinely helpful to people, it will eventually make itself  known.

Filter grade DE is great for filtering, but should under no circumstances be ingested or inhaled as it’s very dangerous for your health.
Related: Herbs and a Protocol that Eliminates Parasites from the Body

The Difference between Diatomaceous Earth and Any Other Alternative

What makes DE truly stand out though for its aficionados, and therefore makes it an essential addition to any person’s health cabinet, is its “silica-argument.”

Silica is the most important trace-element in human health.” – Dr. Barbara Hendel.

Life cannot exist without silica. Food grade DE is approximately 80-85% silica. When you take into account that most people are silica-deficient, although still holding over 7 grams of the mineral in their bodies (more than any other trace-element, even iron), you begin to understand its importance a bit better.

Issues/Illnesses Where Diatomaceous Earth Has Been Shown to Be Helpful

  • Osteoporosis: As silica helps with the absorption of calcium, taking a silica supplement along with a calcium supplement can effectively offset chronic illnesses like osteoporosis, which are due to chronically depleted calcium stores.
  • Detoxifying the body
  • Losing weight
  • Revitalizing the skin
  • Promoting hair growth
  • As a cough decreasing agent
  • Fighting kidney stones and healing infections of the urinary tract
  • Reducing inflammation in the intestines and stomach
  • Protecting vital lung tissue from pollution and restoring its elasticity
  • Normalizing hemorrhoidal tissue
  • Preventing side-effects of menopause like stress
  • Killing bacteria and parasites

Such a powerful force of action begs the question: how can a product do so much without it hurting the organism?

Related: Holistic Guide to Healing the Endocrine System and Balancing Our Hormones

Diatomaceous Earth Is Completely Safe

For example, DE makes your body bug-free, not with a chemical but by physical action. The hundreds of particles that attack the insect are so small, so microscopic, they cause no harm whatsoever to people or pets. So it’s completely safe to ingest orally, as long as it’s food grade!

Calcined vs. Non-Calcined/Amorphous vs. Crystalline/Food Grade vs. Non-food Grade

Filter grade DE is great for (like the name says it) filtering, but should under no circumstances be ingested or inhaled as it’s very dangerous for your health. This version of the white powder starts by being food grade DE with at about 85% amorphous silica, but then it’s heated to about 1000 degrees. The purpose of this is to make the exoskeletons of the diatoms much harder, which makes for improved filtering properties. The process causes the amorphous silica in DE to turn in to crystalline silica. It’s now called “calcined” diatomaceous earth and is 60% crystalline. The world health organization says DE needs to be less than 2% crystalline silica in order for it to be safe. You don’t want to ingest or inhale this form of DE (though it’s not good to inhale any DE). Also, in order to be considered food grade, the diatomaceous earth (food grade) has to have arsenic levels below 10mg/kg and lead levels below 10mg/kg.

What If I’m Taking Medication?

Reports have been extremely positive with or without medication. DE doesn’t seem to interact at all with pharmaceutical drugs, maybe in part because DE essentially operates through mechanical action only (by tabbing and mangling the little buggers).

Apparently, though, some people experience a rise in energy after taking the powder, a side-effect which has no major consequence, but it might interfere with a goodnight’s sleep. It is advised not to consume any diatomite before going to bed precisely for this reason.

Related: How to Detoxify From Chemotherapy and Repair the Body

So How to Use Diatomaceous Earth (Food Grade)

#1: Internal Use

  1. First week: 1 teaspoon of DE in a glass of water or favorite juice, first thing in the morning (the body needs time to get used to it).
  2. Week 2, 3, and 4: 1 tablespoon of DE in a glass of water, again, first thing in the morning.

The following is only if you wish to do a full detox or have a parasitic infection 

  1. For the next 3 months, take 2-3 tablespoons of DE every single day.
  2. Stop taking it for one whole month. In other words, you don’t take anything on the fourth month.
  3. Start again with 2-3 tablespoons per day for the next 3 months.

Note: drink a lot of water to help flush out toxic metals and dead parasites out of your system.

#2: External Use

Step 1: Mix diatomaceous earth and some water in a bowl (roughly 1 part DE to 3 parts water).

Step 2: Choose whether you prefer a mask or a facial scrub. If you want a mask, just add more of DE to the mixture. If you want a scrub, just add more water to dilute the solution even more.

Step 3: Whatever you have decided, spread the mixture across your forehead, your nose, your chin, and your cheeks.

Step 4: Leave it on your face for 2-5 minutes, allowing it to dry.

Step 5: Finally, thoroughly wash your face with some water and a wash cloth. And that’s it, my friend. You should be good to go now—your skin, delicately exfoliated by the sweet action of diatomaceous earth.

How to Use Crawling Insect Control Diatomaceous Earth

Crawling Insect Control is a good way to control ants, bedbugs, box elder bugs, carpet beetles, centipedes, crickets, cockroaches, earwigs, fleas, grasshoppers, millipedes, slugs, and silverfish (Never ingest it orally).

You’ll need a hand-duster, power-duster, or other similar means for application.

  • Indoor use: Lightly coat a thin layer of Crawling Insect Control in cracks and crevices; behind and beneath refrigerators, cabinets, stoves, garbage cans; in and around sewer pipes and drains, and window frames; and in attics and basements.
  • Outdoor use: Place in areas around patios, outdoor sills, window and door frames.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EESQG9b-yc&list=PLWRMcGAPG97SRpvHA33BSRB0GHk6YuYsn

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Gardening Shed Or Outdoor Storage – What’s the Environmental Price?

When looking for a garden building or shed, many people just care about the size, the price, and how much stuff they can fit inside.  Many of us want to make sure the garden building we are buying is ethically made and won’t cause lasting damage to the environment. There are some things to look for to make sure your garden building is made in a way that sits right with you.

Check For The FSC Logo!

The easiest way to make sure that your wooden shed or garden building comes from a sustainable source is to look for an FSC logo on the product. The FSC is the Forest Stewardship Council. Their aim is for any product approved by them to have 70 percent of its wood to come from forests that are well managed. It is quite tricky to know exactly what the FSC logo on a garden building means, but it is something that many shed merchants will display with pride. Some even go so far as to have sections dedicated to garden buildings that are made with FSC approved wood. We think this is great, and it should be the first thing you look for.

One thing that is worth noting is that some garden building retailers don’t display the FSC logo, but they make mention of it in their shed description. So if you do not see the logo, be sure to read the description. Of course, you can always directly ask the merchant or even shoot the folks at FSC an email to ensure the merchant you are looking at is on the up and up.

Look Into The Treatment That Is Used

Most sheds these days come with just a basic basecoat treatment. You will have to give it a coating of wood treatment once it is installed. Some people are a little bit nervous about things like this as they are worried about what kind of chemicals are in the treatment they are using. We have looked, looked again, and then looked some more and we cannot find a retailer who actually tells you exactly what is in the treatment they offer. Usually it will be a case of them just saying something like, “Buy a 2 L tub of golden brown wood treatment.” If you look, you will most likely see the brand, but that is all the information you are likely to find.

Most of the time, wood treatment will be fine. It is made to look after wood so it really should not have any harmful chemicals in it. But you can always just take a look at the brand of wood treatment the retailer offers and do your own little bit of detective work to see if the treatment is environmentally sound.

Is The Wood The Garden Building Is Made From Sustainable?

This is not really something that many shed retailers are going to be talking a whole lot about, but as someone who cares about the environment, you will want to make sure that the wood they are using is from trees that grow fast. Just have a look at the kind of wood the shed you are interested in is made from and then you can do your own little bit of homework.

What Kind Of Labour Was Used To Make The Shed?

Was the shed made by people who were treated right and paid a fair wage? Of course, this is not something that is just out in the open on most retailers sites. But for the most part, you can easily find information about a retailer and the different brands of garden buildings online. You can then find out a little about the manufacturing processes that are used. Many sheds that are sold in the UK are actually made in the UK, but it really does not hurt to do a little bit of homework to find out exactly how the shed was made.

Do Not Be Scared To Ask Questions

You will have noticed that a few times we have said that you will have to get in touch with a retailer to make sure the shed, bike shed, summerhouse, or whatever it is you are looking at is made in a way that you feel is right. Here we have a checklist of questions that you should ask to make sure the shed or garden building you are looking at is right for you.

  • Was the shed made with FSC approved wood?
  • Who makes the shed and was it made in a fair way? (no slave labour)
  • What is in the wood treatment?
  • What kind of wood was used, and how quickly does it grow?

These are simple and basic questions, but if you get the answer to these you will know for sure if the shed was made ethically and from sustainable sources.

If you want to look more in depth at how to be sure your future garden building is ethically manufactured, check out the following guide here.

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How Much and When Should You Water Your Trees?

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A large giant is lurking around your home, just waiting for a little attention. And chances are you rarely think about its needs.

While an arborist spends his days thinking carefully about the future of the forests around him, it’s something homeowners rarely do. After all, we have to-do lists a mile long. If something isn’t causing a problem, why worry about it?

Unless you’ve recently dug a hole, visited a nursery, selected a new tree, and planted it in the ground, watering probably hasn’t entered into your mind. Most of your trees were a part of  your landscaping before you purchased your home.They’re just there. They grow. Why worry about them?

But think for a moment about all they go through. Relentless rainstorms and huge shifts in climate: fall, winter, and spring. Inch after inch of rain soaking into their root systems. Winds that cause the boughs of trees to sway back and forth. And finally, the heat of the summer, where the sun shines down day after day, sometimes breaking records with heatwaves that quickly bring ninety degree days over and over again. It’s only natural that we assume trees can handle life on their own. After all, they’ve lived here on earth a lot longer than we have. And they’ll be here long after we’re gone.

A tree in the wild is different than one we keep in our landscaping. When we choose to make a tree a part of our décor, it takes more than Mother Nature to keep it alive and in peak condition. Tree watering is an important aspect of that process. It’s important to understand when a tree needs a little extra help.

Newly Planted Trees

This is the point in time where we spend the most amount of time caring for a tree. When you plant it, you understand that it needs a little extra attention. So you watch over it, giving it extra care along the way.

For most of us, we plant a new tree when the weather is at its best. Spring, summer, and fall are the perfect times to change things up in the garden and bring in a new tree to add to the view.

Select the final spot carefully, making sure it has plenty of room to grow in the coming years. Dig the hole deep enough to cover the root system, with plenty of space to spread out. Then add water to the hole as you fill it up. Be sure to give it a thorough soaking after the process is complete.

Then continue to water your new tree in the coming weeks.  A new tree can begin wilting long before it shows up its leaves. An extra soaking every few days will help it take root and give it strength as it takes hold.

The First Two Years

Trees are most vulnerable the first two years after planting. This is when they do the most expanding. This is when substantial growth takes place. Its root system is spreading out, taking place deep within the soil.

During the first few months, it will have trouble dealing with heat and drought. If you plant in the summer, make sure you give your new tree extra water during dry spells or days of intense heat.

Don’t forget to track moisture throughout the first two years as well. Some years we get more than our fair share of moisture. Other years, we can go weeks at a time with hardly a drop of rain in sight. Keep track of the rainfall. If we experience more than a couple of weeks without significant moisture, add extra water.

You can also help keep the ground wet my adding wood-chip mulch around the base of the tree. This helps the water move deep into the soil, and stay moist for longer periods of time.

Is There Such a Thing As Too Much?

Just like not enough water can harm a tree, too much of a good thing can cause its own set of problems.

Overwatering a tree is a common mistake, especially in a newer tree. Keeping the ground moist is different than allowing it to become soggy. Moist soil that is allowed to dry out for short periods of time will allow oxygen to penetrate the ground and feed the root system.

As a general rule of thumb, thirty seconds of a steady water flow around the base of the tree will provide adequate water to the roots. And if you’ve added mulch around the base, it will keep the moisture where it belongs.

If you aren’t sure if the ground is moist enough, there’s an easy way to check. Using a garden tool, dig about two inched into the ground, making a small trench for you to access. Place your finger to touch the soil and determine its water content. If it’s moist, it doesn’t need additional water.

Trees Over Two Years Old

Once a tree has been on the ground for more than two years, it has been established into the ground. This means it can handle a wider variety of conditions with ease. It has the proper root structure in place to handle heat and drought in an easier manner.

However, you can still base watering needs on conditions. When we set records for most days over ninety degrees or most days without rain showers, reach out to your trees and provide them with a little extra nourishment. An extra drink of water will help keep them strong.

Planning for the Future

Whether you are planting trees in a new home in a new community or are simply ensuring success with trees that have been in your yard for years, taking action now can ensure their health for years to come.

If you’ve experienced droughts in the past, plant drought-tolerant species whenever you plant new trees. That will give you an advantage in the years to come if conditions continue.

Eco-Friendly Landscaping: Helping Ensure the Future

For many people, landscaping is a form of personal and artistic expression. It’s also a desire to improve the quality of life for the entire community. Lush beautiful gardens are a delight to those taking neighborhood strolls, and more than one life-long friendship has begun with appreciation of natural beauty freely shared and the exchange of gardening secrets. Landscaping is also a great way to incorporate more of the beauty of nature into urban environments.

A combination of events such as increasing energy and water costs and global warming have caused homeowners to consider the far-reaching benefits of eco-friendly landscaping. To make your landscaping more eco-friendly, there are a number of things you can do. Eco-friendly landscaping doesn’t just reduce global warming and the cost of yard maintenance, though. It usually reduces the amount of work required for upkeep, which leaves more time for enjoying your yard.

Replacing Traditional Lawns

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “…maintenance over a 20-year span for a non-native turf grass landscape can cost almost seven times more than the cumulative costs of maintenance for a native prairie or wetland.” The high cost of maintaining a traditional lawn isn’t just economic, though. Research shows that lawn maintenance produces greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

The fertilizer and pesticides commonly used are also a source of potential pollution of groundwater. As public awareness of the negative environmental impact of traditional lawn maintenance has increased, many states have begun providing information for their residents on how they can make their own home environments as healthy as they are welcoming.

For those who love greenery and the look of a lawn, one alternative is planting clover. Clover contains natural insect repellents and competes well against weeds, reducing the need for pesticides.

Native Plants

One way to reduce water costs and honor the particular environment you’ve chosen as your home is by using plants that are native to your area. Native plants require less maintenance and they have developed a natural resistance to common pests and diseases, reducing the need to use pesticides. An additional benefit is that they attract beneficial insects and local wildlife.

Xeriscaping is a set of seven design principles introduced in Colorado to help people utilize native plants to help conserve water. Some critics claim that these principles limit their choices too much. However, if plants native to your area don’t provide enough variety, there are many disease-resistant plants available that provide beauty as well as variety.

Garden Plots

Growing concerns about the health effects of genetically modified foods is another reason many people are choosing to replace at least part of their lawns with low-maintenance garden plots that produce fresh organic fruits and vegetables. According to experts, drip irrigation systems deliver water directly to your plants with 90 percent efficiency, compared to the 50 to 70 percent efficiency of traditional sprinkler systems.

This new trend has led many communities to begin gardening cooperatives in which each member grows one or two items, and everyone comes together to trade items after the harvest. One advantage is that everyone is able to enjoy a wide variety of fresh vegetables without the difficult task of creating multiple soil conditions and planting and watering schedules for different plants. Fruit trees provide shade in addition to fresh fruit, and also raise real estate values. Deciduous trees that drop their leaves in the fall can help cool your home in the summer and provide compost for flower beds. Trees typically don’t require much maintenance so there’s really no reason you should skip on planting some in your garden!

Natural Pesticides

Unlike chemical pesticides, natural pesticides won’t seep into the ground water causing contamination of drinking water. One natural pesticide, made from the pyrethrum plant (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium) is rated highly effective against a large number of insects.

Another natural pesticide can be made by soaking ground onions or garlic in warm water overnight. After straining, the liquid is sprayed on flowers and fruit trees. This natural insecticide is especially effective against aphids and apple borers.

These examples of eco-friendly landscaping prove that we can help preserve the earth without sacrificing beauty or variety.

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Organic Lawn Care: Season by Season

A guide on how to care for your lawn without using any harmful chemicals and materials.

Organic lawn care is growing in popularity, and when done correctly, you should create a hostile environment for weeds and encourage grass to grow and thicken enough to naturally overpower and discourage weed growth.

Spring

Remove any debris that has been left by the snows and winds of winter. If you rake your grass at the start of spring, it will lift your lawn and ready it for trimming, as well as lifting out any weak weeds that need to be dealt with. After raking, deal with any (small) bare patches by re-sowing seeds. Cover the bare patches with a fleece fabric to protect from pests, and make sure the patches  are regularly watered during dry spells. Your lawn will be fully recovered by the end of spring.

Fertilizing your lawn naturally is easier than you think. Natural fertilizers are available in most garden centres and home improvement stores. Non-organic fertilizer is very salt heavy and will damage your soil and it will kill creatures in the soil that are naturally helping you with the upkeep of your lawn! Fertilization should happen from early spring, when your lawn wakes up from the winter hungry for nutrients!

Summer

Persistent hot and dry summer weather can affect the health of your lawn, bringing in a whole host of problems when your lawn is most used. Mowing your lawn once a week will keep it looking neat and fight off any weeds that are starting to grow. You should also apply some feed every time you mow your lawn to keep your grass lush, green, and healthy.

Remember not to cut the lawn too short – this puts stress on your grass and encourages weed growth. If you “mow high” and trim your grass rather than cut it short, you block sunlight and water from weeds and get healthier grass throughout the summer. You should also throw your lawn cuttings back onto the grass, as this organic matter will really help the health of your lawn.

The best way to fight weeds is to spot them and pull them out when they are young and easier to pull. Weeds can destroy your lawn by stealing nutrients and moisture from your grass, so make sure you deal with them swiftly. Check your lawn every few days for any new attacks.

Lawns don’t actually need regular watering over the summer period, as water washes away nutrients and encourages weed growth. The recommended method for organic lawn care is to give your grass a lot of water but very infrequently. A lack of water causes grass roots to dig deeper in search for water in the soil. You then need to use a lot of water to reach those roots when you do water it (depending on the depth of your soil, of course!).

Autumn

As the leaves are falling, a weekly rake of dead matter from the lawn will help prevent the spread of moss and allow for better drainage. It is also recommended that you scarify your lawn using a motorised or hand powered scarifier. This encourages strong growth and will make your lawn look thicker and lusher the following spring.

Compaction, poor drainage, acidity, shade, close mowing, underfeeding, and drought can all encourage moss to take over. Maintaining the lawn in autumn will help to treat this problem and will give the lawn a head start in spring.

September is also the best month to aerate your lawn by covering your lawn with holes using a garden fork. This only need to be done every three years. It will improve your lawn’s drainage and is a natural approach to lowering the risk of weeks and moss.

Winter

When the sunny days are truly over and your lawn won’t be in use, it’s time for topdressing, an organic method where the lawn is covered in natural organic matter. This is a mix of compost, organic materials, and sometimes sawdust and sand. There is a lot of variety in topdressing materials. Do your research and make sure which is compatible with your grass.

Topdressing is very labour intensive. The mixture needs to be worked into the grass with a rake for the best effects. Topdressing improves the structure of your lawn while filling it with nutrients and preparing it to look its lushest when spring arrives!