Layers of Soil
What Type of
Soil Am I?
Soil Am I?
Pop quiz!
Improving soil health
100
Nutrient-rich organic matter made up of dead animals and plants
Humus
100
- I hold onto water very well
- I am not great for growing most plants
- You can grow roses in me
Clay
100
What do we use soil for?
- Growing food
- Growing plants
100
What is nutrient depletion?
When nutrients in the soil are used up faster than they can be replenished
200
The upper layer of soil that is rich in nutrients. This layer is very important for growing plants.
Topsoil
200
- Water flows right through me
- I am bad for growing plants
Sand
200
True or False:
Soil is alive.
True
200
What causes nutrient depletion? (name 2)
Intensive farming
Weeds
Soil Erosion
300
Layer of soil below the topsoil. This soil is full of minerals and rocks.
Subsoil
300
- I am good for growing plants
- I hold some water, but not too much
Silt
300
True or False:
Forty-five percent of soil is composed of minerals.
True!
300
What can be added to improve soil health?
COMPOST!!!!
400
The solid rock below the subsoil.
Bedrock
400
- I am a combination of all of the types of soil
Loam
400
What causes soil erosion? Name at least three.
- Weathering
- Wind
- Rain
- Farming
400
True or False:
More organisms live in a single teaspoon of soil than the human population
true!
500
No plants can enter this area
Bedrock
500
True or False:
Having some sand in your loam is good for plants?
True
- While sand may not be great for growing plants individually, it is an important part of loam soil
500
Name the four parts of soil
- Air
- Water
- Rocks and Minerals
- Organic Matter
500
What practices can help maintain soil health? (name 1)
Adding compost/manure
Testing soil health!
Minimize intensive farming practices (rotate crops, minimize tillage, prevent erosion)