Soil

Soil is made up of organic and inorganic ingredients, air and water.

Inorganic material is rock particles and minerals.

Organic material is decayed animal and plant matter.

The organic material in soil is usually called humus.

Soil needs humus for good plant growth.

Loam is the ideal soil.

It is rich in humus.

It also contains a good balance of sand, silt, and clay.

Soils can have different pH levels.

Some soils are acid and some are alkaline.

The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14.

Zero is pure acid and 14 is pure lye.

Most plants like a pH level of 6.5.

Certain plants, like blueberries, need acid soil to grow.

For sources to this article, see All About Soil.