Horrible Science: Soil Stan

What is soil made of?

Soil is not just dirt. It is a mixture of tiny pieces of rock and something called organic matter.

Organic matter comes from dead plants and animals that have broken down over time.

Not all soils are the same, some contain different amounts of rock pieces, air and water. This is why some soils feel dry and sandy, while others feel sticky or crumbly. All soils help support life on Earth, from plants growing above the ground to animals living beneath it.

Watch: Soil Stan

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

This video can not be played

Soil Stan shares his love of soil with the world … and he really, really, really loves soil.

What different types of soil are there?

There are six common types of soil. Each type has different properties that affect how plants grow.

Take a look at this slideshow to find explore each type.

Skip image gallery

Image caption,
Sandy soil
Sandy soil feels gritty and has large air gaps. Water drains through it quickly.
Image caption,
Clay soil
Clay soil feels smooth and sticky when wet. It holds water well but can crack when dry.
Image caption,
Chalky soil
Chalky soil is pale and stony. It drains water quickly and contains fewer nutrients for plants to grow.
Image caption,
Silty soil
Silty soil feels soft and powdery. It holds water better than sandy soil.
Image caption,
Loamy soil
Loamy soil is a mixture of sand, silt and clay. It is rich in nutrients and good for growing plants.
Image caption,
Peaty soil
Peat soil is dark and crumbly. It is made from decayed plants and contains lots of organic matter (material that once came from living plants or animals).

Horrible Science fact

One gram of soil can contain billions of tiny living organisms, including bacteria and fungi. That means soil is one of the most crowded habitats on Earth!