Hey there! Today, we’re going to learn all about soil, which is sometimes called dirt. Squeaks and I just got back from a nature walk, and we saw some amazing things. We noticed oak trees that probably grew from acorns, blackbirds that hatched earlier this year, and beautiful flowers in our garden. All these plants grew so well because of the good soil we have!
Squeaks asked a great question: where does soil come from? Just like plants come from seeds and birds come from eggs, soil has its own origins. Soil is made from tiny bits of rock and is created naturally over time. This process is called weathering.
Rocks break down into smaller pieces through different ways. Waves from streams or oceans can hit rocks, and strong winds can blow on them, slowly breaking them apart. Sometimes, rocks are under heavy pressure from other rocks, and when they shift, they break into smaller pieces. Even rain can get into cracks, freeze, and cause rocks to split open.
Plants and animals also help in weathering rocks. Plant roots can split rocks as they grow, and animals like moles can scratch rocks as they dig. Different rocks make different kinds of soil. Hard rocks like quartz make sandy soil, while softer rocks like shale make clay soil.
Soil isn’t just made of rocks. It also contains organic matter, which includes dead leaves, old logs, plant stems, and even bones and fur. These pieces break down over time and become part of the soil. Organic matter is full of nutrients that plants need to grow.
Soil with a lot of organic matter is usually dark in color. So, if you see dark soil, it means it has a lot of organic matter and is great for growing plants. Our garden soil is really dark, which is why our flowers grow so well!
Soil takes a long time to form—about a hundred years for just the top layer! But you can become a soil scientist in your neighborhood. Look around your home or school to see where soil is being created. Notice the color of the soil and see if there are tree roots or organic matter mixed in. You can record your findings just like Squeaks and I do!
We hope you enjoyed learning about soil. If you want to learn more, stay tuned for more episodes about soil. See you next time!
Soil Color Exploration: Go on a mini adventure in your backyard or a nearby park with a small shovel and a few clear plastic cups. Dig up small samples of soil from different spots and place them in the cups. Observe the colors of the soil. Is it dark, light, or somewhere in between? Discuss what the color might tell you about the organic matter in the soil. Try to guess which soil might be best for growing plants and why.
Weathering Experiment: Collect a few small rocks and place them in a shallow container. Pour a little water over them and place the container in the freezer overnight. The next day, take the container out and observe what happens to the rocks. Discuss how freezing water can cause rocks to break apart, similar to how weathering works in nature. Try this experiment a few times to see if the rocks change more over time.
Organic Matter Hunt: Take a walk around your garden or a local park and look for examples of organic matter like fallen leaves, twigs, or old plant stems. Collect a few samples and bring them back to your classroom or home. Discuss how these items might break down over time and become part of the soil. Create a small compost jar by placing the organic matter in a jar with a little soil and observe how it changes over a few weeks.
