Have you ever looked at the soil in your garden and considered
it as anything more than soil? If not you should because there
is a lot more there than meets the eye. It performs many
functions that you may not be aware of and having good quality
soil in your garden is essential for your plants. In this
article we will look at the functions of soil, what different
types there are and finally some ways to make it healthier.
Functions of Soil
The most immediately apparent function of soil is a medium to
support plant life. It provides support both physically and
biologically. Physical support is provided by allowing the plant
to grow its roots through the soil to hold itself in place.
Biological support is provided by its ability to hold nutrients
and water that the plant needs. It also supports other types of
life as well. Microorganisms and insects live in the soil and
they in turn aid plant life by helping to decay organic material
and adding structure to the soil. Soil allows the growth of food
crops which are consumed by humans and also plants used in the
creation of medicines. Microorganisms like fungi and bacteria
that live in soil and are used to produce antibiotics. All life
on earth is dependant on it either directly and indirectly. This
includes the plant life in your garden.
What is Soil Made of?
The four major components of soil are mineral matter, organic
matter (humus), water and air. Mineral matter refers to the
inorganic elements in the soil e.g. stones, gravel and makes up
to 40%-60% of its volume. This part of the soil usually
originates from the bedrock that lies beneath the soil. Organic
matter (humus) is the decayed remains and waste products of
plants and animals and has a great effect on the chemical
properties of the soil e.g. availability of nutrients. Almost
40%-60% of a soil's volume can be space and this is occupied by
water and air.
Different Types of Soil Texture
Soil texture is defined as the size distribution of different
mineral particles. These mineral particles are at their most
basic level the following: sand, silt and clay. Sand particles
are 2 to 0.05 mm diameter, silt particles are 0.05 to 0.002 mm
diameter and clay particles are
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