Soil Texture and Structure

Good soils are crumbly and porous structure with a living world of microorganisms. One gram of soil can contain over ten million of live microorganisms and helps our trees in providing nutrients (in available form) and fighting against the plant pathogens. Soil needs to be porous to keep breathing the tree roots and to keep a healthy population of beneficial microorganisms- nitrogen fixing bacteria’s, mycorrhiza, ascomycota and other beneficial microorganisms.

Soil texture is the relative proportion of three distinct particle sizes sand, silt and clay found in a given soil. A loamy soil is ideal growth medium for plants because it retains nutrients well and holds water while still allowing the free movement of water and that allows good air presence for root respiration. Improvements in the soil's physical texture and structure facilitate easier tillage, increased water storage capacity, reduced erosion, better and deeper roots aeration and becomes more prolific plant root systems.

Another soil characteristic is soil structure and distinct from soil texture. Structure refers to the "aggregation" and bind together of three soil particles-sand, silt, and clay particles into larger secondary clusters. Soil structure has a major influence on plant health by water and air movement, biological activity, root growth.While texture is related to the minerals in the soil and it is very hard to change in short time, structure can be improved relative easily by adopting different cultural practices, adding more organic matter (high in humic material). One of the best ways to improve either heavy clay or a light sandy soil is through the addition of organic materials. It is always important to understand the real chemistry behind the scene and consulting the professionals, not the sales man. Caring for the soil is an ongoing process and is essential for successful backyard conservation.