Diatomaceous Earth 50 lb Bag

Diatomaceous Earth comes from an extremely pure fresh water deposit of the diatom Aulacoseira from a deposit created in the Miocene epoch. Why is this diatom so special? Its shell is made of amorphous silica. Its shape and hardness are important to how it works. Its hardness keeps it from dissolving in liquid. The holes along the diatom's wall allow it to absorb moisture, hence its use as an anti-caking agent. Darker colored Diatomaceous Earth often contains an excess of a particular mineral such as iron or a high percentage of clay.

The amorphous silica, present in Diatomaceous Earth, increases the uptake of nutritional elements from the soil through the root system of plants.

Gardens with Diatomaceous Earth added to the soil will see a very healthy earthworm population. In fact it is often added to the soil of worm farms.

When used in a soil amendment, the silica content is important, because plants that absorb silica from the soil resist drought and insects do not want to chew on the plant. The intact barrels of diatoms in Diatomaceous Earth help the soil balance moisture content. Diatomaceous Earth can assist in aeration of the soil preventing soils with high clay content from clumping and starving roots.