soils
Earths or besmirches
Soils is the plural of soil—the loose upper layer of earth where plants grow.
Different soils have different compositions: sandy soils drain quickly, clay soils retain moisture.
The verb soils means to make dirty or stain: The baby soils his diaper, Nothing soils a reputation faster than scandal.
Loose dry earth
- clayMoldable earth for ceramics
- siltWaterborne earth particles
- loamFertile soil mixture
- sandFine rock particles
humus · peat · laterite · regolith · minerals · sediment · gravel · marl
Fit for cultivation
- nutrient-richContaining abundant nourishment
- cultivableAble to be tilled
- productiveGenerating useful output
- compostDecayed organic fertilizer
manure · vermicompost · organic · tillable · mulch · phosphorus · nitrogen · potassium
Placing in soil vessels
- perliteHeat-popped volcanic glass
- vermiculiteExpandable insulating mineral
- coirPalm-fruit husk fiber
- sphagnumAbsorbent bog moss
bark · pumice · substrate · rooting · seedling · container · raised bed · soilless
Compacting by repeated pressure
- rollerRotating cylindrical tool
- rammerTool that pounds down
- densificationIncreasing mass per volume
- proctorExamination overseer
vibratory · consolidation · compaction · plate · drum · pneumatic · sheepsfoot · padfoot
Parallel geological layers
- horizonsApparent earth-sky boundaries
- profileSide-facing outline
- bedrockSolid stone underground
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
overburden · loess · alluvium · weathering · deposition
Grape-growing estate
- winemakingCrafting fermented grape beverages
- appellationName or title given
- mineralityRock-derived character in taste
- climatePrevailing atmospheric conditions
vintage · viticulture · grape · rootstock · drainage · limestone · chalk · slate
Sustaining structural mass
- footingSecure ground position
- stabilityResistance to displacement
- underpinningFoundational support beneath
- pilingsEmbedded structural columns
anchorage · substratum · excavation · slab · settlement · percolation · grading · fill
dirt
Loose dry earth
sand · humus · peat · laterite · regolith · minerals · sediment · gravel · marl
arable
Fit for cultivation
- nutrient-richContaining abundant nourishment
- cultivableAble to be tilled
- productiveGenerating useful output
compost · manure · vermicompost · organic · tillable · mulch · phosphorus · nitrogen · potassium · microbes
potting
Placing in soil vessels
- perliteHeat-popped volcanic glass
- vermiculiteExpandable insulating mineral
- coirPalm-fruit husk fiber
sphagnum · bark · pumice · substrate · rooting · seedling · container · raised bed · soilless · amendment
tamping
Compacting by repeated pressure
- rollerRotating cylindrical tool
- rammerTool that pounds down
- densificationIncreasing mass per volume
proctor · vibratory · consolidation · compaction · plate · drum · pneumatic · sheepsfoot · padfoot · moisture content
strata
Parallel geological layers
stratigraphy · overburden · loess · alluvium · weathering · deposition
vineyard
Grape-growing estate
- winemakingCrafting fermented grape beverages
- appellationName or title given
- mineralityRock-derived character in taste
climate · vintage · viticulture · grape · rootstock · drainage · limestone · chalk · slate · volcanic
load-bearing
Sustaining structural mass
- footingSecure ground position
- stabilityResistance to displacement
- underpinningFoundational support beneath
pilings · anchorage · substratum · excavation · slab · settlement · percolation · grading · fill · cut
- tarnishesblemishes, blots, corrupts, defames, denigrates
- landformsmountain, cliff, valley, volcano, mountain ridge
soilsbedrock
Solid stone underground
rock · stone · solid rock · bare rock · concrete
- home soilOne's own territory
- fertile soilNutrient-rich growing medium
- potting soilBlended substrate for containers
- native soilOne's country of origin
- garden soilAmended dirt for planting
- soil nutrientsElements feeding plant roots