The Dirt on Soil – Facts and Types
Soil is the stuff our plants grow in. The fact is, it is the substance upon which civilization and life upon earth depends upon. Just a few inches thick, the dirt upon which we depend has evolved over time, and the plants which grow in it have evolved as well.
Soil types vary as to geographic location, but all soils have some things in common. The basic building block of all soils is rock. Bedrock, exposed to the weather, has weathered by being exposed to rain, snow, heat, cold and other forces of nature. The rock breaks down over time, forming soil. The time required for soil to form from bedrock can vary greatly, depending upon the geographic location. In warm areas soils will form more quickly than cold areas.
Most dirt is basically composed of various substances. These will be large pebbles, dead twigs, roots, leaves, varying grades of sand, silt, humus and clay. The percentages of these substances will vary based upon location, but if you were to dig a shovel full of soil up and examine it, this is basically what you will find. Soils are classed by the percentages of these components which make it up.
An average garden soil might be composed of forty five percent minerals, five percent organic matter (humus), twenty five percent air and twenty five percent water. You will also find several different types of plants and animals which thrive in dirt. Earthworms, grubs, fungi, bacteria, protozoa and other life forms spend their entire lives living in the soil. Many, if not most, are beneficial. Earthworms and many of the fungi and bacteria feast on fresh organic material and convert it into castings which are rich in minerals and trace elements.
Perennial flowers enjoy a wide range of soil types. Some like wet dirt, some dry. The fact is, most like soil types somewhere in between these two extremes. Each article on flowers which follows will contain information about the type of soil it likes.
December 10, 2010
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Tags: Soil В· Posted in: Botany, Flower Gardening, Vegetable Gardening
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