Soil Vocab

3. Taking care of the soil by preventing erosion and keeping it healthy for plants to grow.
4. Small pieces of soil, such as sand, silt, and clay.
7. Soil that is tightly packed together, making it hard for roots to grow and water to move through.
8. The ability of soil to provide plants with the nutrients they need to grow.
9. Decaying plant and animal materials found in the soil, like leaves, dead insects, and worms.
10. The process of soil being washed or blown away by water or wind.
12. The layer of soil beneath the topsoil, which may have fewer nutrients and less organic matter.
14. Different sections of soil stacked on top of each other, each with its own characteristics.
16. The top layer of the Earth's surface, consisting of tiny pieces of rock, minerals, and decayed plant and animal matter.
17. The way soil particles are arranged, such as clumped together or spread apart.
19. The way soil feels, depending on the size of its grains. For example, sandy soil feels gritty, while clay soil feels smooth.
20. The top layer of soil, which is rich in nutrients and organic matter.

1. The solid rock layer beneath the subsoil, which is the parent material of the soil.
2. The liquid that fills the pores in the soil, providing moisture for plants to drink.
5. Substances in the soil that plants need to grow, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
6. Small spaces or holes in the soil where air and water can move through.
11. The parts of plants that grow underground, anchoring the plant and absorbing water and nutrients from the soil.
13. Soil that is not packed tightly together, allowing roots to easily grow and water to move through.
15. The invisible gas that fills the pores in the soil, allowing roots to breathe.
18. Small, grouped-together pieces of soil.