For years I have put the DE from my pool cleaning into my compost. Now I'm having second thoughts. Is this good for my soil. I use the compost in a vegtable garden. Low productivity over the last 3 years has me second guessing. Thanks all.

Glenn Gurgiolo Texas ggurgiolo@verizon.net

DE from the swimming pool is a really bad idea!

First of all swimming pool DE is the wrong kind of DE. It has smooth edges on the silica particles and has no insecticidal powers. Plus it usually has harmful chemicals on it.

Horticultural DE has sharp jagged microscopic edges on the fossilized silica "bone" particles, therefore they can kill certain bugs and pests in the soil. (i.e. ants)

Real gardening DE works best in the soil during dry seasons. Too much rain weakens its effects against soil pests.

Happy Gardening!

Thanks Captain,

So my pool DE is not doing any harm, but not doing any good either. I have not comtimanted my soil so much that I should replace it?

No your topsoil is fine!

Just keep using good compost in and on your soil. Nature has a cool way of healing itself over time, if you use good soil building techiques to feed the soil and the soil microbes.

Happy Gardening!