Gardeners use flour in soil to boost microbial activity

A growing trend among gardeners involves spreading flour in yards and gardens, though experts suggest its primary benefit is not pest control as commonly believed.

Kate Schneider, founder of Ibis Coastal Landscape, notes that while some gardeners use flour to create a sticky layer intended to hinder the breathing and movement of insects like aphids and mites, its effectiveness as an insecticide is questionable. Instead, Schneider emphasizes that flour serves as an organic source of carbohydrates that stimulates soil microorganisms responsible for compost decomposition and soil enrichment.

The type of flour used impacts the soil differently. Wheat flour acts as a quick energy boost for microbes, decomposing rapidly, whereas rice flour provides a slower, more stable food source, making it more suitable for sensitive areas like vegetable patches or seedbeds.