Soils Information By: Matt Jakubik

Soil  A. outer layer of earth’s crust, renewable natural resource that supports life  --takes 1000 years for 1 inch of soil to form

Function of Soils  Supply Nutrients  Supply Water  Supply Air  Provides Anchoring

Soil Components  A. Soil is made up of:  1. Minerals—45%  2. Water—25% (good soil)  3. Air—25%  4. organic matter—5%

Organic Matter  A. decayed plants and animals 1. leaves, roots, stems 2. dark in color 3. more productive because of increased fertility/nutrients  sources: manure, mulch, peat moss

Water  A. necessary for good soil --permeable: allows water to flow through --leaching: salts, minerals and nutrients washed out of soil

Air  1. roots need air to breathe  2. soil must have air in pores for plants to grow

Pores  A. spaces between soil particles. B. Filled with air and/or water

Mineral Material  began as rock, undergoes weathering to break down  1. Classified according to particle size a. sand: largest in size, large pores, water flows through easily, not as fertile, nutrients leach out b. silt: mid-sized, good water holding capacity, holds nutrients C. clay: smallest in size, holds water and nutrients, has poor water drainage and lacks air

Soil Texture  a. proportions of the 3 particle sizes in a soil  --Landscapers need to know soil texture:  1. time to plant  2. drainage  3. nutrient holding capacity  4. plant soil requirements  5. easier to work with

Texture uDefinition: Percentage of sand, silt and clay particles vSize of particles.(largest to smallest) vSand vSilt vClay

Texture uWhy is texture Important? vWater absorption rates vSoil water storage capacity vEase of tillage vAmount of aeration vSoil Fertility

Texture uDetermining Soil Texture By Feel vSand  Coarse gritty feel vSilt  Medium-silty, floury feel vClay  Fine-sticky when wet