Soil Health
Soil Health
Healthy soil is a living, breathing ecosystem. It’s not just ‘dirt,’ but a perfectly balanced physical and biological mixture of minerals, decaying organic matter, living organisms, air, and water. Tap on the different parts of the soil cross-section to discover what makes the ground beneath our feet thrive.
Organic Matter
Making up about 5% of healthy soil, organic matter consists of dead plants, animals, and microbes in various stages of decomposition. It acts like a giant biological sponge, holding up to 20 times its weight in water and binding loose soil particles together into stable clumps.
Soil Biology
A single teaspoon of healthy topsoil contains more living microorganisms than there are people on Earth. These organisms constantly process organic matter, cycle vital nutrients, and create physical structure by weaving soil particles together.
Mineral Particles
Minerals make up about 45% of healthy soil, created by the physical and chemical weathering of rocks over thousands of years. The relative sizes of these mineral particles—sand, silt, and clay—determine the soil’s texture, its drainage capabilities, and its ability to hold onto nutrients.
Pore Spaces
An ideal healthy soil is about 50% solid matter and 50% empty space, consisting of tiny structural pores. These pores are absolutely crucial because they serve as storage tanks and highways for the air and water that plant roots and microbes need to survive.
