Why Is Soil Important? We’ve Got The Answers!

When you think about what you need to survive, the first two things that probably come to mind are oxygen and water. But did you know we also are dependent on soil? As it turns out, our soil is just as essential as the air we breathe. Surprised? Let’s explore this question further: Why is soil important?

What is soil?

Soil, or dirt, is a mixture of organic and inorganic materials that live on the immediate surface of our earth. These materials include small pieces left from weathering rocks. They may also contain minerals that come from animal life and decaying plants.

In a nutshell, dirt is our life support system. It’s a vital natural resource that supports our plants, our earth– and ourselves!

How does it support our plants?

From controlling weeds to killing plant diseases, our earth’s dirt is fundamental to plant health. It’s the mechanism for healthy plant growth. It provides nutrients to plants that get absorbed through the roots. This enables the plant to grow flowers, vegetables, and fruits.

The dirt that surrounds plants acts as an anchor by giving structure for the roots to grow and lock into place. This keeps plants secure and strong.

In addition to maintaining plant health, dirt also does wonders for our planet.

How does it support our earth?

The elements of the nature and properties of soils make up the foundation for our ecosystem. When dirt is healthy, it helps mitigate climate change. It accomplishes this by increasing organic carbon. Believe it or not, dirt holds more carbon than every single forest in the world combined!

So, why is soil valuable as a natural resource? In addition to helping our plants thrive and regulating our Earth’s temperature, it also filters the water we drink. And without clean water, we couldn’t survive.

How does it support humans?

Our lives are directly dependent on how healthy our soils are. Dirt feeds plants so they can grow, and plants give us the food and oxygen we need to live. Because they also provide plenty of valuable minerals, soils are used to make certain medicines.

All in all, we need to make efforts to preserve our earth’s dirt. Without it, we’d all be racing to live on Mars.

Why preservation is essential

We’ve covered how vital a natural resource dirt is. But do you know how to preserve it?

Here are a few simple ways we can work together to protect our dirt.

• 1. Cover your soil with mulch to protect it from raindrop erosion. This is an easy way to ensure it keeps its nutrients.
• 2. Eat your food! Limit how much food you throw in the trash to prevent minerals and nutrients from going into a landfill.
• 3. If you do need to throw your food out, think about composting instead. Composting brings essential nutrients from food back into nature.

Why is soil health so critical? 

We also need to protect the health of our dirt. If it isn’t healthy, it can’t provide any of the benefits we’ve discussed.

Healthy dirt supports the well-being of our plants, our earth, and ourselves. The more soil we protect, the healthier our gardens will be. And healthy garden soil is vital to growing fruits and vegetables that nourish us.

There are different types of soil that all contribute to the well-being of our gardens.

Sand and Clay and Loam, Oh My!

The three primary types are classified by the size of their particles.

Sandy

Consisting of large particles, sandy soil retains water well. This makes it easy for plant roots to absorb moisture. Another benefit of this type of dirt is that it heats up quickly in the spring, which enables plant growth.

A disadvantage of this type is that it dries out in the summer, so you’ll have to make sure to water it frequently. It’s also known for lacking nutrients and being acidic. But, it’s still effective for growing plants in the warm months of spring and summer.

Landscaping for sandy soil is pretty easy, even if you don’t have a green thumb. This is due to its light weight and malleability.

Clay

Clay soil is made up of tiny particles that release water at a rapid rate. As a result, most plants can end up overly hydrated. It’s best to use clay dirt for your plants that need ample hydration, so you don’t have to worry about overwatering.

This type has a reputation for being the hardest to work with. Landscaping in clay soil is difficult because of how heavy and thick its mixture is. But, when managed effectively, it can store loads of nutrients for a long duration. Nutritional access is what gives plants the food they need to grow.

Loamy

Out of all the types of soil, most gardeners consider loam the ideal type. This is because it contains sandy, clay, and silt specks. (Silty soil falls right between sandy and clay in terms of consistency). Loamy soil has high pH and calcium levels, which help maintain plant health.

Loamy dirt can provide you with the perfect balance for year-round planting. Why? Because it doesn’t dry out in the summer and doesn’t get too damp in the winter. This mixture has good infiltration of water and oxygen, making it the most fertile blend.

Why is dirt valuable to gardeners?

Most people think that only sunlight and water are necessary for growing a plant. This is why the critical nature of dirt is often overlooked.

When you take a plant home, the first thing you probably think about is where you’re going to put it. If it needs a large amount of sunlight, you’ll likely place it by a window that gets sun. If it’s a shady plant, you might opt for setting it in a darker corner of your office or living room.

Once you find the perfect place for your new plant, the second thing you most likely think about is how often you’ll need to water it. You may read the plant label or Google the type of plant you have to find this information. 

So, how much sunlight and water your plant needs is about the extent of how most people care for their plants. Unless you’re an avid gardener, it’s unlikely you think about the specific kind of soil that holds your plant. But, having the right type is a huge game-changer.

Urban soil in landscape design makes beautiful gardens when used appropriately. But, it can be difficult to take advantage of landscaping if you don’t know which type of dirt you’re working with. This is why you should always conduct a test.

Testing for your type

Knowing what type of dirt you have in your backyard is key to effective planting. There are two main ways to figure out your type.

• 1. Conduct a test. You can send samples of your dirt to a lab near your home. Search for soil tests in your county, and you’ll receive a list of locations where you can mail your sample. These laboratories perform in-depth tests for particle analysis.
• 2. Buy a test kit. These kits test the texture and pH of soil. This is an easy way to test at home and get quick results.

Landscaping with our earth’s dirt

Landscaping has many benefits to improving aesthetics. You can make an entryway more inviting, cover up patches of mud, and even mask the age of an outdated home.

You can use dirt for many landscaping projects. A few examples are paver walkways, concrete layouts, and outdoor patios. Soil creates beautiful landscaping, which can transform your home into a sanctuary.

Used for creating amazing landscapes and providing water and oxygen, dirt is an essential resource. You can see now that the question, “Why is soil important” is an inspiration to keep the world beautiful.