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7 points on why the soil is important to life.

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The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has declared 2015 the International Year of Soils, paying tribute to the life-giving ground beneath our feet.

"It is difficult to rate the importance of the different soil functions, since all are vital to our well-being to some extent," it says. "However, the function of supporting food and agriculture worldwide is fundamental for the preservation and advancement of human life on this planet."

Most of us know that: no soil, no sustenance. Famines are driven by soil degradation, as poor farming practices lead to soil loss through erosion and leaching of nutrients from the soil. Anyone who has done even a little gardening recognizes how the quality of the soil can change the outcome of the harvest. But soil serves us in so many other ways, FAO points out.

1. Since soil is the basis for plant growth, it contributes to the maintenance of both the natural and plantedlandscape. It supports the forests, wetlands, jungles, prairies and grasslands that spawn the planet's amazing vegetative biodiversity. Those plants-some of which we are still discovering-provide food, fuel, animal feed, medicine and raw materials for clothing, household goods and other essentials. Plants in turn help prevent soil erosion.

2. Soil also supports animal biodiversity, above and below ground. It's essential to the lives of both wildlife and domesticated livestock. And the soil itself is teeming with a fathomless number of micro-organisms and insects as well as familiar organisms such as earthworms that maintain soil quality, provide nutrients, break down toxic elements and interact with water and air to help maintain a healthy natural environment.

3. Soil is important in providing an adequate water supply and maintaining its quality. Soil and the vegetation it supports catch and distribute rainwater and play a key role in the water cycle and supply. Soil distribution can impact rivers, lakes and streams, changing their shape, size, capacity and direction.

4. The water absorption properties of soil play a role in reducing pollution from chemicals in pesticides and other compounds.

5. Soil provides both the foundation and base materials for buildings, roads and other built infrastructure.

6. Soil holds the key to Earth's history, containing and preserving artifacts of the planet's past, both its natural and its human/cultural antecedents. You can thank soil for those dinosaur fossils every kid loves to see at a natural history museum as well as the relics that tell us how our own human story evolved.

7. And critical to Earth's future, soils and how we use them play an important role in helping us to address climate change. Soil organic matter is one of our major pools of carbon, capable of acting as either a source or sink. Soil contains the fossil fuels that drive climate change when extracted but when left underground give us the chance to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change and reach our eventual goal of a zero-emissions world.

The FAO Soils Portal provides a wealth of information about what is being done and what can be done to maintain the beneficial qualities of soils around the globe.
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Can Organic Agriculture Reverse Climate Change?

10 Interesting Facts About Earthworms

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7 Reason Healthy Soil Is Vital to Human Life on Earth

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The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has declared 2015 the International Year of Soils, paying tribute to the life-giving ground beneath our feet. "It is difficult to rate the importance of the different soil functions, since all are vital to our well-being to some extent," it says. "Howe...

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Is soil really only soil? Go to this link and you will find out what is soil, and dirt, and does soil have layers, and what are the layers called/mean?`

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Soils are complex mixtures of minerals, water, air, organic matter, and countless organisms that are the decaying remains of once-living things. It forms at the surface of land – it is the “skin of the earth.” Soil is capable of supporting plant life and is vital to life on earth. Soil, as formally defined in the Soil Science Society of America Glossary of Soil Science Terms, is:

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This is a good website because it tells good information about the living organism and also tells you interesting facts about the layers, organism, and how it does it's job by grabbing nutrients from decaying animals and giving it to plants. If you want to learn about more facts about it

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Why is soil so important? Soil helps to provide much of the food that humans consume. Only 25 percent of the earth's surface is made up of soil and only 10 percent of that soil can be used to grow food.

Soil Sustains Life

Soil sustains life by helping plants to grow. It also harbors worms, beetles, fungi and bacteria, providing them with the nutrients they need to live. Without soil, there would be nowhere to grow food that is the sustenance of life. Soil contains food, water and air that is needed by plants to grow. The healthier the soil, the more nutrients a plant can soak up. The healthier the plant, the better it is for humans and animals to eat. The quality of the soil ultimately affects the health of people and animals.

Related Articles

What Is Soil?

Soil is made up of organic matter, minerals and living organisms. Organic matter is decaying material such as rotting leaves and dead animals. Minerals are crushed rocks or bedrock. Living organisms include moles, worms and beetles, which churn through the earth as well as essential bacteria that help to break down organic matter.

Soil Profile

A soil profile is the side view of soil, from the uppermost layer to the bottom layer. There are six layers that exist in a soil profile. They are as follows:

The topmost layer of the soil is composed mainly of fresh soil and decaying organic matter. The color ranges from brown to black.

The second layer of the soil consists of highly decomposing organic matter. The color ranges from brown to gray.

The third layer of soil is composed of sand and silt. It has lost most of its nutrients. The color of this layer is light brown.

The fourth layer consists of clay and large rocks and bedrock. The color ranges from rust to tan.

The fifth layer of soil is bedrock. The color is gray.

The sixth layer of soil is comprised of rock. The color is gray.

Maintaining Healthy Soil

Healthy soil can be maintained by doing several things. They include:

Avoiding the use of chemicals that create an imbalance in the soil. The long-term effects of some chemicals may kill off unwanted pests, but they may ultimately destroy living organisms that are essential to the creation of healthy soil.

Crop rotation can help maintain a healthy balance of nutrients in the soil. Each type of crop will take away certain nutrients in the soil that are not always easily replaced. Crop rotation can help to replenish certain nutrients, which will help to maintain a healthy balance. For example, wheat and oats take away nutrients while clover helps to replace nutrients. Planting different crops each year will help maintain the soil.

Using compost in your own garden can help to replace nutrients necessary for healthy soil. Compost is easy to make from leaves, dead plants and vegetable waste from the kitchen. Garden plants and living organisms in the soil will benefit from compost.

Just Why Is Soil So Important?

Soil is more than just the dirt under our feet. It is a home for living organisms and it provides nutrients and stability for plants to grow. Without soil, the plants necessary for people and animals to survive could not exist. By caring for our soil properly, we can ensure the longevity of both animals and people. The use of crop rotation, limiting harsh chemicals and composting will help to maintain a healthy balance of nutrients, living organisms and minerals in the soil. It is important to remember that the fresh foods on which we feast affect our health. To the question, "Why is soil so important", the simple answer is that we are what we eat.

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Why is soil so important? Soil helps to provide much of the food that humans consume. Only 25 percent of the earth's surface is made up of soil and only 10 percent of that soil can be used to grow food. Soil sustains life by helping plants to grow.

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This website will show and explain about the soil and how its important heres an ex: soil more organisms in it than there are people on earth.

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© 2018 Soil Science Society of America. All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions

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This artical tells why soil is so important  and what soil technically is. 

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This artical tells why soil is so important  and what soil technically is. 

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Why is soil so important? Soil helps to provide much of the food that humans consume. Only 25 percent of the earth's surface is made up of soil and only 10 percent of that soil can be used to grow food.

Soil Sustains Life

Soil sustains life by helping plants to grow. It also harbors worms, beetles, fungi and bacteria, providing them with the nutrients they need to live. Without soil, there would be nowhere to grow food that is the sustenance of life. Soil contains food, water and air that is needed by plants to grow. The healthier the soil, the more nutrients a plant can soak up. The healthier the plant, the better it is for humans and animals to eat. The quality of the soil ultimately affects the health of people and animals.

Related Articles

What Is Soil?

Soil is made up of organic matter, minerals and living organisms. Organic matter is decaying material such as rotting leaves and dead animals. Minerals are crushed rocks or bedrock. Living organisms include moles, worms and beetles, which churn through the earth as well as essential bacteria that help to break down organic matter.

Soil Profile

A soil profile is the side view of soil, from the uppermost layer to the bottom layer. There are six layers that exist in a soil profile. They are as follows:

The topmost layer of the soil is composed mainly of fresh soil and decaying organic matter. The color ranges from brown to black.

The second layer of the soil consists of highly decomposing organic matter. The color ranges from brown to gray.

The third layer of soil is composed of sand and silt. It has lost most of its nutrients. The color of this layer is light brown.

The fourth layer consists of clay and large rocks and bedrock. The color ranges from rust to tan.

The fifth layer of soil is bedrock. The color is gray.

The sixth layer of soil is comprised of rock. The color is gray.

Maintaining Healthy Soil

Healthy soil can be maintained by doing several things. They include:

Avoiding the use of chemicals that create an imbalance in the soil. The long-term effects of some chemicals may kill off unwanted pests, but they may ultimately destroy living organisms that are essential to the creation of healthy soil.

Crop rotation can help maintain a healthy balance of nutrients in the soil. Each type of crop will take away certain nutrients in the soil that are not always easily replaced. Crop rotation can help to replenish certain nutrients, which will help to maintain a healthy balance. For example, wheat and oats take away nutrients while clover helps to replace nutrients. Planting different crops each year will help maintain the soil.

Using compost in your own garden can help to replace nutrients necessary for healthy soil. Compost is easy to make from leaves, dead plants and vegetable waste from the kitchen. Garden plants and living organisms in the soil will benefit from compost.

Just Why Is Soil So Important?

Soil is more than just the dirt under our feet. It is a home for living organisms and it provides nutrients and stability for plants to grow. Without soil, the plants necessary for people and animals to survive could not exist. By caring for our soil properly, we can ensure the longevity of both animals and people. The use of crop rotation, limiting harsh chemicals and composting will help to maintain a healthy balance of nutrients, living organisms and minerals in the soil. It is important to remember that the fresh foods on which we feast affect our health. To the question, "Why is soil so important", the simple answer is that we are what we eat.

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Why is soil so important? Soil helps to provide much of the food that humans consume. Only 25 percent of the earth's surface is made up of soil and only 10 percent of that soil can be used to grow food. Soil sustains life by helping plants to grow.

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This article is good because it talks about what types of micro organisims that are in the soil.

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There are many recipes out there for mixing your own potting soil. I've tried a bunch over the years, including most of the commercially produced soils on the market like Ocean Forest or Pro Mix. I'm convinced that with a little bit of work, you can produce your own soil using many local products and not only save money but make a much better soil for your plants.

Let me give a little history on our soils and how I started the process of learning about mixing soils. It started back in 2005 when I met a man in Portland who goes by the online handle of "Clackamas Coot" and "Lumperdawgz" on various growing forums. He came to talk I was giving on compost teas and I soon discovers he was a wealth of information. After numerous emails and long phone conversations, he gave me the basics for making soil, for which I'm eternally grateful. I spent 2 years testing and refining our soil mix and Nutrient Pack for local growers through trials at the local horticulture college, direct microscopy, and soil tests. I hope some of that knowledge and experience can be shared here to save you time!

1. It starts with a good base mix. My preference is approximately 50% sphagnum peat moss, 33% aeration (we use 1/3 large and 2/3 medium pumice in our soils), and 17% high quality compost and/or earthworm castings. Many people will go with 1/3 peat, 1/3 aeration, and 1/3 compost. I chose to adjust this based on research showing around 20% to be the optimal amount of earthworm castings on potting mix. You can also use coco coir or other substrates instead of peat moss but see my article on peat vs coco for why peat is my hands down choice.

2. The next thing to consider is your major nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur). These are all vital for plant growth so you'll want to add amendments that provide these in both fast release and slow release forms. I like to use volume as my form of measurement over weight and a good rule of thumb is to add approximately 1/4-1 cup per cubic foot of soil of any given amendment to be safe. You can look at the N-P-K on an amendment to see what % of each macro-nutrient it contains. For example, organic fish meal is a fast release nitrogen source and is typically around 10% nitrogen and 4% phosphorus. This will give a plant a good start in root development and vegetative growth ealy in the plants life. However, you'll also want some slower release nitrogen sources like crustacean meal or feather meal so the plant can receive nutrients throughout its life cycle.

3. Trace minerals and micro-nutrients are important! This is where most commercially produced soils are lacking in my opinion. I like to add kelp meal (70 elements, plant growth hormones and regulators, etc..), rock dusts, and good earthworm castings to ensure the plant will get everything it needs to be both healthy and nutrient dense.

4. Calcium and magnesium are important to have and in the proper ratios. Most soils are deficient in calcium. Earthworm castings help provide calcium but you'll want to add lime, gypsum, soft rock phosphate, or oyster shell flour to increase your calcium to around 70% of your CEC (cation exchange capacity) and magnesium around 10%. Together they shouldn't exceed 80% of your CEC. Now you may be wondering what CEC is. Without getting to technical, think of CEC as a giant sponge that contains all the nutrients the soil is able to hold. The higher the CEC, the more nutrients the soil can hold and the more nutrients you'll need to add to "fill" the sponge. A CEC around 25-35 is ideal for what we are trying to accomplish. Don't worry about this calculation, a $25 standard soil test from Logan Labs will give you this information and help you to adjust your recipe as needed.

5. One of the most important aspects is biological diversity and biomass in your soil mix. This is what creates nutrient cycling and makes all these great ingredients actually available to the plant. Ideally you would make your own compost in a worm bin or static compost pile, but this takes time and is not something practical in all situations. If you are having to buy compost or worm castings, look for companies that have done biological testing on their product and are willing to share it. At the very least, don't buy cheap municipal compost or something that's been sitting on a shelf for a long time or baking in the hot sun in a parking lot and expect it to have good healthy microbes. Aerated compost teas are another excellent way to increase the microbial activity in your soil if you're worried about the quality of your compost.

There are many free recipes out there. This one from Clackamas Coot is a good starting point for many people. Don't get caught up in having the exact ingredients, as you can substitute for things you can find locally. Have fun experimenting and seeing how your plants respond!

For a detailed guide on the actual mixing process, you can follow the steps found here.
Clackamas Coot's Recipe
1/3 Sphagnum Peat Moss

1/3 Aeration (pumice, perlite, lava rock, etc..)

1/3 Compost + Earthworm Castings

To each 1 c.f. of this mix I add the following:
1/2 cup organic Neem meal
1/2 cup organic Kelp meal
1/2 cup Crab meal or Crustacean meal
4 cups of Mineral Mix aka rock dust

Mineral Mix Recipe
1x - Glacial Rock Dust
1x - Gypsum
1x - Oyster Shell Flour or Agricultural Lime
1x - Basalt

6. Plan on re-using your soil. Your living soil will improve over time as the microbes cycle nutrients and build soil structure. It's important to remember that each time you harvest a plant, you're removing nutrients and organic matter from the soil. Those will need to be replaced each cycle. You can use our Nutrient Pack or come up with your own re-amendment recipe. In addition, I suggest adding approximately 1 cubic foot of high quality compost or earthworm castings per yard of used soil to get that organic matter back in the soil. Also, plan on adding aeration back in at whatever level is necessary to maintain your porosity and drainage. We find that approximately 1 cubic ft per yard, every other cycle, works well in most cases.

7. Let your soil sit. It's best if you can let your soil cook for at least 2 weeks, but up to a month is optimal. This allows the microbes to begin breaking down these amendments and cycling them into plant-available forms. It also prevents any burning from the soil being "too hot." Be sure to maintain proper moisture content during this time. The easiest way to determine this is if you grab a clump of soil and squeeze it in your hand, it should almost stay together but break into a few smaller chunks and feel like almost a drop of water can be squeezed out of it.

Now if this is more work than you're able to do yourself or you want to go with a lab tested and professionally mixed soil, you can check out our Veggie Mix, Water Only, and Biochar Soil Mix.

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7 Important Things When Building a Living Soil

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There are many recipes out there for mixing your own potting soil. I've tried a bunch over the years, including most of the commercially produced soils on the market like Ocean Forest or Pro Mix.

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This is the reason why living soil is important to living things

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This passage is really helpful because it shows other things about soil and stuff about life and earth.

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What's in soil? When you pick up a handful of soil, what do you see?

All soil is made up of inorganic mineral particles, organic matter (including living things), air and water.

Inorganic mineral particles

Inorganic mineral particles make up more than half the volume of soil. These particles come from rocks - the parent material that formed the soil. Soil mineral particles are sorted into three groups based on their size - sand, silt and clay. Sand particles are the biggest and clay particles are the smallest. If you rub soil between your fingers, the sand particles make it feel gritty. Silt soils feel smooth and floury. A slick or sticky feel comes from clay.

Organic matter (living and non-living)

Unless there is an earthworm or a slater in your handful of soil, it appears to be dead. Actually, soil is home to an amazing amount of life. Some living things are big so we can see them, but most aren't. Soil is full of life - billions of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms. Scientists think there is more life in one teaspoon of healthy soil than there are people living on Earth!

The other component of organic matter is humus. It comes from dead plants and animals and the waste products of living things. When we add compost to the soil, we are adding humus.

Organic matter makes up a small part of the soil, but it plays a really important role. The living organisms recycle nutrients. Humus stores the nutrients and water for plants. Organic matter makes it easier to work the soil.

Air and water

Believe it or not, air and water can often make up about half the volume of soil! Air and water are in small spaces called pores between soil particles. Plants and soil animals need the air and water to live and grow.

Different combinations result in different soils

Soil scientists group soils according to the types of mineral particles and organic matter they contain. Different amounts and different combinations give soils special properties.

Soil properties help us decide how to use the soil. Look at a cricket ground, for example. The cricket pitch is made from clay soil. Dry clay has a hard surface, ideal for bowling and batting. The surrounding field will have a different type of soil. This provides a safer playing surface for fielders and better drainage if it rains.

Soil properties also help us decide where to put roads and buildings and where to grow different types of crops.

Nature of Science

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What's in soil? When you pick up a handful of soil, what do you see? All soil is made up of inorganic mineral particles, organic matter (including living things), air and water. Inorganic mineral particles make up more than half the volume of soil.

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This website shows and explains the different types of layers and how soil helps our planet

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What is soil?

In short, soil is a mixture of minerals, dead and living organisms (organic materials), air, and water. These four ingredients react with one another in amazing ways, making soil one of our planet's most dynamic and important natural resources.

Soil is used by people in numerous ways. Because of this, it has many definitions. An engineer may view soils as a material upon which infrastructure is built, while a diplomat may refer to "soil" as a nation's territory. From a soil scientist's perspective, soil is:
The surface mineral and/or organic layer of the earth that has experienced some degree of physical, biological and chemical weathering.
Soils are limited natural resources. They are considered renewable because they are constantly forming. Though this is true, their formation occurs at extremely slow rates. In fact, one inch of topsoil can take several hundred years or more to develop. Soil formation rates vary across the planet: the slowest rates occur in cold, dry regions (1000+ years), and the fastest rates are in hot, wet regions (several hundred years). Read more about how long it takes for soil to form.

How do soils form?

Soil Profiles - Dig down deep into any soil, and you'll see that it is made of layers, or horizons. Put the horizons together, and they form a soil profile. Like a biography, each profile tells a story about the life of a soil.

Soil Changes with Age - As a soil ages, it gradually starts to look different from its parent material. That's because soil is dynamic. Its components-minerals, water, air, organic matter, and organisms-constantly change. Some components are added. Some are lost. Some move from place to place within the soil. And some components are transformed into others.

CLORPT - Soils differ from one part of the world to another, and even from one part of a backyard to another. They differ because of where and how they formed. Over time, five major factors control how a soil forms. They are climate, organisms, relief (landscape), parent material, and time--or CLORPT, for short. Read more about CLORPT.

What are the soil types?

To identify, understand, and manage soils, soil scientists have developed a soil classification or taxonomy system. Like the classification systems for plants and animals, the soil classification system contains several levels of detail, from the most general to the most specific. The most general level of classification in the United States system is the soil order, of which there are 12.

Each order is based on one or two dominant physical, chemical, or biological properties that differentiate it clearly from the other orders. Perhaps the easiest way to understand why certain properties were chosen over others is to consider how the soil (i.e., land) will be used. That is, the property that will most affect land use is given precedence over one that has a relatively small impact.

The 12 soil orders all end in "sol" which is derived from the Latin word "solum" meaning soil or ground. Most of the orders also have roots that tell you something about that particular soil. For example, "molisol" is from the Latin "mollis" meaning soft. Explore more about each soil order.

**Each state and territory in the United States has a representative soil, like a state flower or bird. Find your state soil!

What makes soil, soil?

Texture - The particles that make up soil are categorized into three groups by size: sand, silt, and clay. Sand particles are the largest and clay particles the smallest. Although a soil could be all sand, all clay, or all silt, that's rare. Instead most soils are a combination of the three.

The relative percentages of sand, silt, and clay are what give soil its texture. A loamy texture soil, for example, has nearly equal parts of sand, silt, and clay.

Structure - Soil structure is the arrangement of soil particles into small clumps, called "peds". Much like the ingredients in cake batter bind together to form a cake, soil particles (sand, silt, clay, and organic matter) bind together to form peds. Peds have various shapes depending on their "ingredients" and the conditions under which the peds formed: getting wet and drying out, freezing and thawing--even people walking on or farming the soil affects the shapes of peds.

Ped shapes roughly resemble balls, blocks, columns, and plates. Between the peds are spaces, or pores, in which air, water, and organisms move. The sizes of the pores and their shapes vary from soil structure to soil structure.

A soil's texture and structure tells us a lot about how a soil will behave. Granular soils with a loamy texture make the best farmland, for example, because they hold water and nutrients well. Single-grained soils with a sandy texture don't make good farmland, because water drains out too fast. Platy soils, regardless of texture, cause water to pond on the soil surface.

Color - Color can tell us about the soil's mineral content. Soils high in iron are deep orange-brown to yellowish-brown. Those with lots of organic material are dark brown or black; in fact, organic matter masks all other coloring agents.

Color can also tell us how a soil behaves. A soil that drains well is brightly colored. One that is often wet and soggy has an uneven (mottled) pattern of grays, reds, and yellows.

What do soils do?

Soils are amazing! Life as we know it would not exist without them, as they provide countless services that benefit all humans. Clean air and water, the clothes on our backs, habitat, and food for plants and animals are just a few things we can thank soils for. These 'goods and services' provided by soils are called ecosystem services.

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In short, soil is a mixture of minerals, dead and living organisms (organic materials), air, and water. These four ingredients react with one another in amazing ways, making soil one of our planet's most dynamic and important natural resources. Soil is used by people in numerous ways.

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If you look at this page it will help you learn how soil does its job and how soil works and what it does to help us.Why it helps us is so we can have plants and get food from plants.

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It shows how important soil is and characteristics of soil.

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This is a brief and simplified introduction to the origins of soils and how they influence capabilities and uses of soils.

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This site helps us explain why soil matters!! It tells why we need to take care of our soil. And what lives in it!!

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Soil is underrated. It may look like dirty stuff that just holds plants in the ground, but it's so much more! Soil is a multi-layered, complex system holding nutrients for plants, providing a home for invertebrates and vertebrates, and is the basis of thousands of food chains. Without soil, we wouldn't be able to grow the crops we need to eat or grow the feed for livestock. Our way of life depends on soil!

2015 is the United Nations International Year of Soil, focusing on protecting and caring for soils so that we can sustain our ever growing global population. By 2050 it is estimated that the global population of humans will exceed 9 billion people, and they will all need food! Our soils are being degraded and lost as we use land for urbanisation, pasture lands for industrial livestock and improper land management. We need to learn to look after our soils.

This blog will look at what makes up soil, why it is so useful to us and why we should care about our soils.

What is soil?

Soil is made up of minerals from rocks, organic matter from plants and animals, and the many species' living in the soil. Earthworms keep soils clean by digesting the soil and their movement keeps the soil fresh, as do moles. Bacteria in the soil recycle nitrogen and carbon, fungi transport nutrients and help to decompose organic matter. Intricate root systems of plants and trees provide shelter and food for lots of organisms. Soil is a thriving ecosystem!

There are different layers in soil that serve different purposes. Humus is the top layer of soil and is rich in organic matter and nutrients. Top soil lies below and contains humus, which is very nutrient and mineral rich and ideal for plant growth. The next level down is subsoil which is less nutrient rich but contains lots of minerals and some solid rock pieces. Beneath this is weathered rock fragments containing very little organic matter.

Eventually, if you dig down far enough you will reach bedrock; the solid rock that all these soil layers are sitting on.

You can get different types of soil based on the size of the soil grains, the larger the soil grains the muddier the soil when wet. Clay, sand, silt, chalk, peat, and loam soils have different consistencies and allow for growth of different plants. The pH of the soil affects which plants can grow, very acidic or alkaline soils make it difficult for certain plant species to become established.

Why is soil important to us?

Soil is incredibly useful. It acts as a drainage system when it rains to absorb water therefore preventing floods. This drainage also filters water to clean it as minerals and micro-organisms in the soil detoxify the water of pollutants. These processes are referred to as ecosystem services, where natural processes benefit humans.

The organic matter in soils contain nutrients which are essential for plant growth, which is incredibly important to us as we need plants to eat! Vegetables, fruits, cereals all need to be grown, as well as crops to be used as feed for animals.

Micro-organisms in the soil convert toxic compounds within the soil into useful nutrients for plants. For example ammonia is converted into nitrogen in the nitrogen cycle. These micro-organisms also decompose organic matter for it to be recycled through the carbon cycle, and are even responsible for that nice earthy smell after it rains which is referred to as petrichor.

Why do we need to look after our soils?

Soil takes a very long time to make. It can take up to 1000 years for just 1 cm of top soil to be produced. With an increasing global population, more demand for urbanisation, and land for food production, we are losing a lot of our fertile land. Many areas of the world rely on farming but their soils are not suitable for growing lots of plants, so there needs to be more of a global effort to protect and make the most of our soils.

If you have a garden you can do your best to treat your soils with care, grow a variety of plants and restrict the amount of chemicals you use. Buying organic produce helps to support the maintenance of high quality soil and other environmental standards.

You can find out what sort of soil you have in your garden by trying out this activity!

Activity: solving soil!

You will need:

What to do:

Fill your jar 2/3 full of water

Stir in the teaspoon of water softener powder

Fill the jar with soil to just below the top of the jar

Put the lid on and shake it for about 20 seconds

Set the jar on a table and wait 20 seconds, a dark layer will form on the bottom of the jar. This layer is sand, mark it with your marker.

Wait two minutes, the next layer will form and this will be the silt.

The final layer to settle will be clay, this can take up to a week to settle.

The thickest layer indicates which type of soil you have in your garden. Soils are a combination of different particles.

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Soil is underrated. It may look like dirty stuff that just holds plants in the ground, but it's so much more! Soil is a multi-layered, complex system holding nutrients for plants, providing a home for invertebrates and vertebrates, and is the basis of thousands of food chains.

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Why Is Soil So Important To Other Living Things?

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Why Is Soil So Important To Other Living Things?

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It also harbors worms, beetles, fungi and bacteria, providing them with the nutrients they need to live. Without soil, there would be nowhere to grow food thatis the sustenance of life. Soil contains food, water and air that is needed by plants to grow. The healthier thesoil, the more nutrients a plant can soak up

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why is soil so important to other living things - Google Search

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It also harbors worms, beetles, fungi and bacteria, providing them with the nutrients they need to live. Without soil, there would be nowhere to grow food that is the sustenance of life. Soil contains food, water and air that is needed by plants to grow.

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i think you should red this becausew you can learn about the three types of soil

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There are three main types of soil: sand, silt, and clay. The best soil for most plants to ensure optimum growth is a rich, sandy loam. This soil is an even mixture of all three main types of soil. In most cases, you'll need to amend the soil with compost. Depending on how compact the soil is, you may need to add peat moss and sand. However, there are many plants that are well adapted and can grow in particular types of soil.

Different Plants for Different Soils

Soil is generally described by the amount of sand, clay, and silt it contains. This is known as texture. Soil texture is directly related to nutrient quality and drainage capabilities.

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Loam Soil

A loam soil contains a nice balance of silt, sand, and clay along with humus. The factors that make this soil type so desirable and good for growing plants include:

Higher pH level: The best pH for most plants is between 6.0 and 7.0. The pH level affects the plant's ability to grow. This range of acidity allows good plant nutrients to thrive as well as other soil organisms, such as earthworms.

Higher calcium level: Plants need calcium for healthy growth. Calcium helps maintain the balance of soil chemicals. It also ensures that water reaches the roots of plants by improving the soil's ability to retain water. It also contributes to creating the looseness of the soil, so oxygen reaches the roots. Calcium reduces the amount of salt in the soil. Too much salt damages the root systems and limits the plant's growth and ability to absorb nutrients.

Gritty texture: The soil is dry, soft but gritty to the touch, and crumbles easily to provide excellent draining properties. The soil texture also retains water and plant nutrients. This benefits the plants with consistent moisture and food. Since the soil is crumbly, the air flows easily all the way to the roots.

Sandy Soil

Sand is the largest particle in soil and does not hold nutrients well. The following plants are well-adapted to sandy soil.

Clay Soil

Soils with a large amount of clay are heavy and do not drain well. The following plants are well-adapted to clay soil.

Bee Balm: Some species grow in sandy soils, while others prefer loamy or clay soils. Check before buying which soil the plant prefers.

Black-eyed Susan: This flower can grow in a range of soils from loamy to clay. It needs good soil drainage, so you may need to amend your flower bed.

Goldenrod: This wildflower is adaptable to most soil types, including clay.

Silt Soil

Silty soil is powdery with high fertility. Unfortunately, soils that are high in silt can become waterlogged very easily. The following plants are well-adapted to silty soil.

Best Soil for Flowers

The best soil to use for flowers depends on the type of flower, such as bulb vs seed, and where you're growing it. For example, flower bulbs will thrive in sandy loam soil.

Sandy loam soil provides excellent drainage to prevent the bulb from rotting and the roots can grow easily.

The texture of potting soil is best when planting flowers in a container, such as a window box or flower pot.

For a flower garden, you can use a soil mixture of compost, peat, and topsoil as a general mix with a 1:1:1 ratio.

Best Soil for Vegetables

The best soil for a vegetable garden depends on the type of garden you have. For a raised bed garden you want a 50/50 ratio of compost and topsoil. For a field garden you need soil that drains well. Clay soil will need to be amended to ensure the water drains properly. You can amend using gypsum, vermiculite or expanded shale.

Soil for Indoor Plants

If you're growing houseplants, you might think it's a good idea to scoop some soil from your yard to grow your plants in. This is actually a bad idea since garden soil contains bacteria that can be harmful to your houseplants. There are a two options if you don't want to use commercial potting soil.

Sterilize the Outside Soil

If you opt for your outdoor soil to grow your indoor plants, you'll first need to pasteurize it in order to eliminate any diseases, as well as insects and weeds. Spread it on a cookie sheet and bake in a 180 degree oven for 30 minutes. Although this process will emit a bad odor, it does take care of the bacteria.

After the soil is sterilized, you'll likely need to amend it with peat moss and sand. These are things that will allow proper drainage and air flow while still retaining the right amount of moisture. Commercial potting soils are similar. They include peat moss and vermiculite along with a slow-release fertilizer. Together these things create a soil mix that holds nutrients, retains moisture, and provides ventilation for the roots of the plant.

Create Your Own Mix

Another option is to make your own potting soil. This will allow you to control the quality of the soil. A recipe for a lightweight soilless planting medium includes:

1/2 cubic yard peat moss

1/2 cubic yard perlite

10 pounds bone meal

5 pounds blood meal

5 pounds limestone

Mix all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight container until needed.

Science Fair Project on Best Soil for Plant Growth

You can use different soils in your science project to test which is best for plant growth. Use peat pots or other containers and fill with different soils, such as sand, silt, and clay. Make soil combinations, such as sand and clay, silt and clay and silt, sand, and clay. You may decide to create additional soils using different ratios of various combinations.

Label Pots

Label each pot clearly so you know which soil is in each vessel. Make a not in your journal. If you choose to use a numeric or alphabet coding, make sure you transfer the information accurate in your journal.

Choose Type of Seed

You want to use the same seeds for each soil type. Select the seed according to the type of plant you wish to grow. Flower plants are a popular choice as are herbs.

1. Make sure you plant each seed at the same depth.

2. Plant two seeds per container in case one seed is defective and doesn't germinate. You can remove the less healthy plant once the second set of leaves appear.

3. Plant, water and expose to sun according to the seed packet.

Document Your Experiment

Keep a daily journal on each plant. Make notations on the slightest changes or reactions to the plant growth. You want to observe all differences in the plants as they grow.

How to Measure Your Progress

Your science project needs data to back up your research. There are specific things you can measure to access which soil is best.

1. You want to measure the height and width of your plants, daily.

2. Document when each leaf unfolds.

3. Measure how each plant grows and compare to the others.

4. How many flowers does each plant produce?

5. Are the number of seeds the same?

6. Make sure to take photos or videos of the progress.

Results of Your Experiment

Depending on the requirements for your science project, you need to compile and analysis your journal data and draw a conclusion about which soil type performed the best, based on growth, health, number of leaves, flowers and seeds.

Basil Plant Expermiment Example

This video documents different soils for growing basil plants.

Water Retention, Soil, and Plant Growth Experiment Example

This video shows a project that examined the water retention properties of different soil and how it affects plant growth.

Beautiful Garden

Whether a container garden inside or a garden outside, the key to successful planting is the soil requirements of particular plants. Most soils are a combination of sand, clay, and silt. If you don't know the type of soil, you can use an inexpensive soil testing kit to find out.

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Which Soil Is Best for Plant Growth? | LoveToKnow

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There are three main types of soil: sand, silt, and clay. The best soil for most plants to ensure optimum growth is a rich, sandy loam. This soil is an even mixture of all three main types of soil. In most cases, you'll need to amend the soil with compost.

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This article shows why we cannot live without soil.

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We love to sing the praises of our friends the trees, but we often forget about the critical resource right under our feet: the soil. Trees and other plants need healthy soil to thrive, but the scope of soil benefits go beyond planting.

Soil influences the life spans of our roads and highways. Healthy soil is the foundation for food, animal feed and fuel. Lumber, bricks and textiles all come from soil. Even important discoveries in the field of medicine can be linked to soil. Soil also performs a range of ecosystem services like nutrient cycling and water filtration.

Soil is so important that the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization declared 2015 the International Year of Soils. Here are just some of the reasons to appreciate our "silent ally."
1. We literally can't live without it
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that without healthy soils, "life on Earth would be unsustainable." Healthy soil-along with water, air and sunlight-is essential to the ecosystem and to our survival.

According to the Soil Science Society of America, soil is defined by the combination of minerals, air, water, arthropods, animals and other living organisms that accumulate in layers and compact over time. Soil without life is dirt, a sterile substrate.

Scientists have found that the world's soil is one of our largest reservoirs of biodiversity, containing almost one-third of all the planet's life! A teaspoon of soil alone may be home to billions of microbes. And the life that resides in the soil-the microbes, fungi, mites and critters-make up a complex web of interrelationships.
2. Soil is second only to our oceans as the largest carbon repository on the planet
Due to all that organic matter, soil is also the largest source of organic carbon, a vessel for approximately 75% of the carbon on land. Soil's natural tendency to store carbon is essential for mitigating and adapting to climate change, as well as improving flood and drought resilience.

Although much of the focus on reducing greenhouse gases revolves around reducing our emissions, cultivating healthy soil can also offset the effects of fossil fuels.That's because when soil absorbs carbon it keeps it out of the atmosphere.

According to the Ecological Society of America, "Carbon can remain stored in soils for millennia, or be quickly released back into the atmosphere. Climatic conditions, natural vegetation, soil texture, and drainage all affect the amount and length of time carbon is stored."
3. Soil is the planet's largest natural water filter
Not to mention, soil's capacity to absorb CO ₂ is also directly related to its health, making soil preservation and restoration even more important.

It may sound strange, but the world's supply of clean water is all thanks to soil. Water that falls on concrete and other paved surfaces is diverted straight to the ocean, taking with it whatever pollution it picks up along its journey. Water that flows onto soil, however, is essentially purified by a natural filtering processes, making runoff far less toxic when it eventually reaches whatever destination-like a river, or the ocean-it's diverted to.
4. Without soil, the world's food web would be in trouble
With the cooperation of its microorganisms, nutrients like calcium, magnesium and potassium are absorbed by the soil and removed from the water supply, while soil microbes decompose organic pollutants and play an important role in the nitrogen cycle making nutrients available for plants to access as needed!

Our food supply begins in the soil, the source of everything we eat.
5. Healthy soil, healthy people
Nearly everything we humans eat can be traced back to soil, and that's true for other animals as well. Wild plants need healthy soil to thrive, so other species can eat the leaves and seeds and fruit and predators can eat the plant eaters.

Did you know microorganisms that live in soil are used to make medicine that treat diseases? In fact, nearly all of the antibiotics we take to help us fight infections come from soil. These critters have given us many life-saving medications, like the antibiotic streptomycin, and cyclosporine-a drug used to prevent transplant patients from rejecting their new organs.

Soils are a finite natural resource, but that doesn't mean it can't be renewed. With the addition of microbes and mulch, your backyard dirt patch can become healthy soil teeming with life in just a couple years. Find out what plants are right for your soil type in a Rainwater Harvesting or Native Plants Workshop, and help us keep our soil happy and healthy by planting trees!

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We love to sing the praises of our friends the trees, but we often forget about the critical resource right under our feet: the soil. Trees and other plants need healthy soil to thrive, but the scope of soil benefits go beyond planting. Soil influences the life spans of our roads and highways.

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I think its a grate book because it shows and tells u about how soil works and how it grows from life to death

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this is a goods website for soil because it tells about how soil works and what it does.