Soil
When rocks break down into smaller & smaller pieces, they turn into sand. If you look at the sand under a microscope, you will see that sand is made up of the same minerals as the rocks that the sand came from. When plants start to sprout up in sand, it is turning from being just small bits of rock to being soil. Soil is very important to life on earth. It supports plant life. We could not live without plants. Soil is made up of sand and decomposing plants and animals. Soil has many names including: clay, silt, mud, dirt, topsoil, dust, potting soil and humus.
Sand
Sand is the number main particle found in soil. You can tell it's sandy soil by how rough it feels as you rub it between your fingers. This soil is a combination of rock, quartz or silica. Sandy soil is what's needed in areas requiring drainage, like baseball fields, but doesn't contain enough nutrients to grow strong, healthy plants. When melted down, sandy soil becomes glass.
Clay
Another type of soil is clay. When it's dry, clay feels smooth to the touch, but it becomes very sticky when wet. It's made of small, inorganic particles been worn down from rock. Clay can be full of healthy nutrients, but doesn't allow enough water and air to pass through to support most plants. Because it's so sticky and dries hard, clay is very good for building and making pottery.
Silt
Silt is a combination of sandy soil and clay. You can tell silt by how powdery it feels when it's dry. Unlike clay, silt does not become sticky when it's wet.
Loam
Loam is a combination of sandy soil, clay and silt. It breaks up easily, allows for organic activity, stays moist while allowing for drainage and air circulation. Loam is the best soil for growing plants. In fact, gardeners often mix loam in with other soils like sand and clay
Sand is the number main particle found in soil. You can tell it's sandy soil by how rough it feels as you rub it between your fingers. This soil is a combination of rock, quartz or silica. Sandy soil is what's needed in areas requiring drainage, like baseball fields, but doesn't contain enough nutrients to grow strong, healthy plants. When melted down, sandy soil becomes glass.
Clay
Another type of soil is clay. When it's dry, clay feels smooth to the touch, but it becomes very sticky when wet. It's made of small, inorganic particles been worn down from rock. Clay can be full of healthy nutrients, but doesn't allow enough water and air to pass through to support most plants. Because it's so sticky and dries hard, clay is very good for building and making pottery.
Silt
Silt is a combination of sandy soil and clay. You can tell silt by how powdery it feels when it's dry. Unlike clay, silt does not become sticky when it's wet.
Loam
Loam is a combination of sandy soil, clay and silt. It breaks up easily, allows for organic activity, stays moist while allowing for drainage and air circulation. Loam is the best soil for growing plants. In fact, gardeners often mix loam in with other soils like sand and clay