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Soil is not just dirt. It is the evolving layer of decomposing rock that covers parts of the Earth not covered by water or sand. Soil covers just 10 percent of the Earth's surface but produces all of the world's crops. The biology of soil and its physical properties are the subject of study for agronomists, soil and materials... more »
Clay soil can be discouraging to the home gardener both for the difficulty in digging and the potential death grip it can put on plants and flowers. But for all its drawbacks, clay soil does not have to keep you from having a beautiful landscape if you use a little hard work and careful planting. more »
It can be argued that no two soils are ever exactly alike. Although this is true, it is still useful to group soils into texture categories. There are three major texture categories for soil: Sandy, Loam, and Clay. It is fairly simple to figure out what type of soil you have. Read more to learn how. more »
Soil pollution results from the build up of contaminants, toxic compounds, radioactive materials, salts, chemicals and cancer-causing agents. The most common soil pollutants are hydrocarbons, heavy metals (cadmium, lead, chromium, copper, zinc, mercury and arsenic), herbicides, pesticides, oils, tars, PCBs and dioxins.
Until the... more »
A rich, dark, crumbly soil that can drain water but still retain moisture is considered loamy soil. Heavy, compacted soil doesn't drain well, and sandy soil doesn't hold water or nutrients. You can do a simple test to find out what kind of soil you have in your garden.
Take wet soil in your hand and squeeze it. Clay soil will stay... more »
It's good for the earth and it's good for you. Take some time to make a healthy change in your...
Aerating a lawn is an important step to creating a lush, green carpet to surround your home....
Fruit trees, plants, and bushes add color and fragrance to your yard or garden in addition to...
Gardening is your savior, but sometimes you fail epically at it. Look no further—here’s...
Heavy clay, red or otherwise, is inhospitable to most plant life, but there are things that you can do to make sure that your property has a... more »
There are two ways to fertilize plants. The first method involves feeding the plant directly--giving it soluble food so it doesn't have to depend... more »
To the surprise of some, there is more than one type of dirt. And its function is more significant than to be tracked into your house by dirty... more »
Alluvial soil is material which has settled out of water carried by a stream or river. It is rich in nutrients and is a wonderful soil enhancer.... more »
No matter whether you are planting grass, flowers, vegetables or seeds, you need to prepare the soil. Good soil preparation ensures your garden... more »
Imagine planting a shrub in your backyard only to see it die. It has happened to most of us, but it doesn't always have to. Sometimes, the problem... more »
Soil drainage refers to the ability of water to drain through the upper layer of soil and seep into deeper areas. Poor drainage prevents plants... more »
Soil is a natural body consisting of layers (soil horizons) of mineral constituents of variable thicknesses, which differ from the parent materials in their morphological, physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics.Birkeland, Peter W. Soils and Geomorphology, 3rd Edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999. It is composed of particles of broken rock that have been altered by chemical and environmental processes that include weathering and erosion. Soil differs from its parent rock due to interactions between the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and the biosphere.Chesworth2008> It is a mixture of mineral and organic constituents that are in solid, gaseous and aqueous states.Voroney, R. P., 2006. The Soil Habitat in Soil Microbiology, Ecology and Biochemistry, Eldor A. Paul ed. ISBN0125468075 Soil particles pack loosely, forming a soil structure filled with pore spaces. These pores contain soil solution (liquid) and air (gas).Taylor, S. A., and G. L. Ashcroft. 1972. Physical Edaphology Accordingly, soils are often treated as a three state system.McCarty, David. 1982. Essentials of Soil Mechanics and Foundations Most soils have a density between 1 and 2 g/cm³. Soil is also known as earth: it is the substance from which our planet takes its name. Little of the soil composition of planet Earth is older than the Tertiary and most no older than the Pleistocene.Buol73> . In engineering, soil is referred to as regolith, or loose rock material.
Soil forming factors
Soil formation, or pedogenesis, is the combined effect of physical, chemical, biological, and anthropogenic processes on soil parent material. Soil genesis involves processes that develop layers or horizons in the soil profile. These processes involve additions, losses, transformations and translocations of material that compose the soil. Minerals derived from weathered rocks undergo changes that cause the formation of secondary minerals and other compounds that are variably read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil
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