Why is Soil Important?
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Different Kinds of Soils
Plants can live in all kinds of soil. Roses need soil with lots of humus. The humus has nutrients that the roses need. Nutrients are matter that helps keep plants and animals healthy. Most plants, like roses, live in soil with lots of humus.
Cactus are not like roses. They can live in sandy soil. Sandy soil does not hold water very well, but cactus roots can take in rainwater and store it in their stems.
Another type of soil is clay.
Clay is very tiny bits of matter found in soil. Clay holds a lot of water. But clay can be bad for plants. Clay gets hard and can dry up in hot weather. It packs together so tightly that plant roots can not grow.
Plants can live in all kinds of soil. Roses need soil with lots of humus. The humus has nutrients that the roses need. Nutrients are matter that helps keep plants and animals healthy. Most plants, like roses, live in soil with lots of humus.
Cactus are not like roses. They can live in sandy soil. Sandy soil does not hold water very well, but cactus roots can take in rainwater and store it in their stems.
Another type of soil is clay.
Clay is very tiny bits of matter found in soil. Clay holds a lot of water. But clay can be bad for plants. Clay gets hard and can dry up in hot weather. It packs together so tightly that plant roots can not grow.
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How is Soil Helpful?
What prevents a tree from falling over? Soil does!
Soil helps hold the roots of a tree in place. In fact, soil helps all plants keep their roots in place!
Some plants, like grass, have many little roots in the soil. Others have one big root that grows deep down in the soil.
The roots from the plants take in the water and nutrients from the soil. The water and nutrients help the plants grow.
What prevents a tree from falling over? Soil does!
Soil helps hold the roots of a tree in place. In fact, soil helps all plants keep their roots in place!
Some plants, like grass, have many little roots in the soil. Others have one big root that grows deep down in the soil.
The roots from the plants take in the water and nutrients from the soil. The water and nutrients help the plants grow.
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Bob and his animal friends love the soil too!
Click on Bob to learn more! Who does Bob say lives in the soil? Why do they love soil as much as Bob? Talk to the friends next to you about Bob and his friends who live in the soil! |
When you are done click the button to take the quiz!