Soil is a mixture of tiny pieces of rock, minerals, water, air, and organic matter that supports plant growth. It is made up of layers including topsoil with humus and organisms, subsoil with some humus and rock pieces, and underlying bedrock. Soil types are classified by the size of particles as sand, silt, or clay which determine properties like texture, drainage, and ability to retain water and air.

1. WHAT ARE
SOME TYPES OF
SOIL?

2. Soil
- Soil is a very important resource.
- Without soil plants will not grow.
- Many animals wouldn’t have places to live.

3. Soil is a mixture of many things.
Tiny
Water Air pieces of Humus
rock

4. Humus
Part of soil that is made up
of parts of dead plants and
animals.

5. Layers of soil
Topsoil
Has lots of Humus. Many small
animals live in it.
Subsoil
Does not have lots of Humus,
but it has small pieces of rock
Bedrock
It has no Humus. Made up of
solid rock.

6. Types of soil
- Soil can have different
colors.
- Soil can have different
sizes of rocks (grains)

8. Types of soil
Sand soil Silt soil Clay soil
Properties
Size of
particles
Feel
Gritty (coarse) Smooth Sticky
(When wet)
Not much air
Air space Lots of air space Some air space
space
Passes fast Does not pass
Water (Dry fast)
Stays a while
(Stays wet)