Soil

The ground beneath our feet certainly seems solid, but only half of the soil is hard particles. The remaining half is a combination of space (air) and water. In good soils almost half of this empty half is filled with water. Dissolved into this water are many chemicals, including the nutrients essential for plant growth. The remaining space of air is important in that it supplies oxygen to plant roots and soil organisms.

Good soils contain a large variety of life. Most of the creatures that inhabit soil are microscopic. Some of the more common visible organisms are worms and ants. The soil organisms are important because they convert nutrients into forms that the plants can use. They also recycle nutrients from organic matter.

The primary way to build great soil is to nurture the thriving ecosystem of the soil and keep it from becoming un-balanced.

 

The Tiny pockets and channels between the solids are called pores. Loose soil has many pores and is called porous. Air can easily reach plant roots, and excess water will drain away easily.

The solid particles are made of pulverized rock. These determine the texture of the soil. The solids are also composed of bits of organic matter in various states of decay, which eventually turn into humus.

 

Organic Layer:

Thin layer of plant material in various stages of decay

Topsoil:

To layer of soil. Darker and crumbly. This is where most nutrients, roots, and organisms exist

Subsoil:

Lighter than top soil. Contains less humus. Most water that plants use is stored here and some nutrients.

Parent Material:

Rock Rubble that hasn’t weathered completely into soil

Bedrock:

Underlying layer of solid rock to far down to reach by digging unusually.