[potseed-webber]

Dietemaceous earth on the top of a pot forms a crusty layer when it becomes wet.

[Thickems]

Better used as just a pesticide.

[cannasaurus-rex]

Yes it will do this when mixed with the soil and provides Calcium. Diatomaceous earth is commonly used on the top of dry soil or mulch to deter crawling insects. Dusting around the growing area also helps with bug control.

[BigOMyco]

Thanks thats what I’ve been using it for on top as IPM for exoskeleton creatures. Just reading about it is fascinating.

[bad_grandpa]

I don’t know if it’s the best but I started with these cut-off (bottoms of) solo cups, half filled with doamataceius earth.

Leave them on top of soil so it’s always available. When the topsoil is dry, I sprinkle a tiny amount on each one.. I take them out completely for the few minutes when I actually water.

I have yellow sticky traps in for reference but really no fungus gnats since shortly after I started doing this. What little I sprinkle on the soil mustn’t hurt them.

For those of you that remember my jelly donutz runt, you can see she is catching up.