Soil is a material composed of five ingredients — minerals, soil organic matter, living organisms, gas, and water. Soil minerals are divided into three size classes — clay, silt, and sand (Figure 1); the percentages of particles in these size classes is called soil texture. The mineralogy of soils is diverse.

The composition of the soil by percentage are: Soil mineral matter 45% Soil water 25% Soil air 25% Soil living Organisms 5%

SOIL COMPONENTS Soil is made up of four main components: mineral, water, air and organic.

In general, soil contains 40-45% inorganic matter, 5% organic matter, 25% water, and 25% air. In order to sustain plant life, the proper mix of air, water, minerals, and organic material is required. Humus, the organic material in soil, is composed of microorganisms (dead and alive) and decaying plants.

loam
An ideal soil would be made up of 45% minerals (sand, clay, silt), 5 % organic (plant and animal) material, 25% air and 25% water. The mineral portion would be loam (20 – 30% clay, 30 – 50% silt and 30 – 50% sand).

The basic components of soil are minerals, organic matter, water and air. The typical soil consists of approximately 45% mineral, 5% organic matter, 20-30% water, and 20-30% air. These percentages are only generalizations at best. In reality, the soil is very complex and dynamic.

A soil is simply a porous medium consisting of minerals, water, gases, organic matter, and microorganisms.

The best type of soil for flower bulbs is a sandy loam. It can be described as a balanced mixture of clay, sand, silt and a modicum of organic matter. Sandy loam usually is around neutral pH and affords good water drainage, root permeability and adequate nutrition.

Flowers benefit from soils that contain organic materials such as peat moss to allow for adequate drainage. Adding compost to the soil can help offset any shortages in the native soil. Lighter soils give flower roots room to grow, spread and anchor.

Instead, use potting soil (also called potting mix or container mix). Potting soil is well aerated, sterile, lightweight, and made of a good balance of organic material and mineral particles like peat, sand, or perlite. (Potting soil is actually soilless. That is, it doesn’t contain any dirt.)

The particles in the soil are classed on their size. gravel, pebbles or stones. particles. particles. clay. formed by physical breakdown of rocks. chemical breakdown of rocks. amount of clay in the soil. the type of soil is by using a soil triangle. coarse and fine sand, and silt and clay particles. size of each is different.

10. Loamy Soil composed of roughly the same amount of all three textures (clay, silt, sand) and organic matter Loose and rich When you squeeze it, forms a ball that crumbles when poked Good at absorbing and storing water Best for plant growth 11.

Topography Mapping of the land by contours and physical features of areas Since water runs downhill, it is easy for soil to be carried away during a heavy rainstorm Slope percentage affects the speed of the water’s down hill path  Ex. 5% grade= more erosion than 1% grade 15. Soil Formation is influenced by 5interrelated factors

Poor soil with little or no nutrients. Is a warm soil. This protects from leaching of minerals. Is naturally fertile soil. Is a cold soil. sandy soils. sandy or clay soils.