Soil

earth science · plants · living systems

Living powerhouse. Soil isn't just dead dirt, it's alive with billions of tiny creatures like bacteria, fungi, and worms that break down dead plants and create nutrients for new plants to eat.

Three parts mixed together. Good soil is part solid minerals, part water, and part air. The water and air fill tiny spaces between the mineral pieces, and roots need all three to grow strong.

Worms build better soil. Earthworms tunnel through soil, mixing it up and leaving behind their waste, which is packed with nutrients that make soil richer and help plants grow taller and healthier.

Made from broken rocks. Over thousands of years, wind, water, and frost crack big rocks into smaller and smaller pieces, and dead plants and animals mix in to create the dark, crumbly soil we see today.

Different soils, different uses. Sandy soil drains fast and is great for some plants, clay soil holds water but can get hard, and loamy soil (a mix of both) is like the perfect balance for most gardens and farms.