Unit 6 Vocabulary

5. The top layer of the soil where plant roots grow and is full of nutrients.
8. Parts of soil that were never alive like sand,clay, or minerals.
10. Medium-sized particles that feel soft, like flour and can hold some water.
11. How much of the nutrients plants need is in the soil.
12. The best mix of sand, silt, clay, and humus and is great for growing plants.
13. Very tiny particles that feel sticky and can hold lots of water.

1. The dark, rich part of the soil made from decomposed plants and animals which add nutrients to the soil.
2. How good the soil is at helping plants grow.
3. The outer layer of the Earth includes rocks, soil and is where we live and grow food.
4. The process of breaking down dead plants and animals into nutrients.
6. Things in the soil that once were alive-like dead leaves or roots-that help plants grow.
7. How the soil feels-like if it's smooth or rough-based on the size of its particles.
9. The layer under topsoil and has fewer nutrients but more clay.
10. Large soil particles that feel gritty and don't hold much water.