Intro to Soil Growing

Plants are designed to use materials from the soil and the air to meet their needs. As with any living organism, environmental conditions and nutrient supply determine how healthy that organism will be. Plant needs will vary depending on type, making certain soils more suitable for growth. Soil types differ in their ability to provide nutrients, air and water.

Growth Needs
Plants rely on certain amounts of light, water and air to grow. And while climate conditions and nutrients do affect their quality life, the make-up of the soil is an important factor in plant health. How well the soil drains, its ability to cultivate organic materials, and its ability to accommodate a plant's root system all contribute to a plant's viability. Plant variety and climate condition will determine what type of soil is best suited for growth.

Soil Characteristics
The type of soil a plant sits in acts as a physical and nutritional support system. Minerals, bacteria (or organic matter), water and needed nutrients are all stored in the ground for the plant's use. Soil texture and quality will determine how easily a plant can access these needed materials. Fertile soils will promote the chemical reactions needed to recycle these materials for the plant's use. Soil types are determined by particle texture and density. Plant growth will depend on the soil's ability to deliver these needed materials.

Root Systems
One very important thing the soil does is provide needed water to a plant's root system. The soil's ability to hold release water is an indicator of its type. Soils that retain high concentrations of water and moisture may work well for some plants, and not so well for others. A plant's root system is designed to push needed water up through the plant's stem and into the leaves. Root systems grow out in branches that also form root hairs. These root hairs provide a larger surface area for absorption. Root tips are the areas where these systems branch down further into the soil.

pH Levels
A soil's acid and alkaline concentrations are what determine its pH level. Too high a concentration of acid or alkaline will prevent needed micro-organisms from maintaining the health of the soil. Micro-organisms are important because they provide nutrients to the plant's root system. Without them, these root systems would be unable to siphon needed water up from the soil and into the plant. The optimal pH level for plant soil is 6.5. This level provides just enough acid and just enough alkaline to promote healthy micro-organism growth.

Soil Types
Soil types come in three forms - sand, clay and silt. Sand is the coarsest, and the driest of the three. Sand is great for air circulation, but not so good at holding water or retaining nutrients. Clay is the heaviest soil type. In dry conditions, it becomes hard, while wet conditions will make it sticky. Clay is good for holding onto nutrients, however air and water circulation is limited. Silt is a combination of sand and clay soils, meaning it circulates air and water well and holds onto nutrients. Typically, ground soils will contain a mixture of the three types, with some grounds being more sandy, while others contain more clay.

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