Soil comes in different types, each suited to different plants. Tap a soil type to see its properties.
Try it: compare Sandy and Clayey — opposite water-holding abilities!
Rocks are hard, natural materials that make up much of the Earth's surface. There are three main types of rocks, formed in different ways.
Formed when hot, melted rock (lava or magma) cools and hardens.
Formed when layers of sediment are pressed together over a long time.
Formed when existing rocks are changed by heat and pressure underground.
Over a very long time, wind, rain, and temperature changes slowly break large rocks into smaller and smaller pieces. This process is called weathering.
The tiny broken rock particles mix with decayed plant and animal matter (called humus) to form soil.
Has large particles with big gaps between them, so water drains through quickly. It doesn't hold water well.
Has very small, tightly packed particles, so it holds water well but drains slowly and can become sticky.
A balanced mix of sand, clay, and organic matter — it holds water well while still draining properly, making it best for growing most plants.
Soil is essential for growing the plants that give us food, and it provides a home for countless small organisms like earthworms and insects. Without healthy soil, farming and most plant life would not be possible.
Tap a question to reveal its answer once you've tried it yourself.
Two 20-mark, 30-minute tests. Reveal answers question by question.