subsoil
Below the topsoil
Subsoil is the layer of earth immediately beneath the topsoil, typically lighter in color and lower in organic matter.
It contains minerals leached down from above but lacks the rich biological activity of surface soil.
Farmers and gardeners distinguish subsoil from topsoil because subsoil is generally poor for growing plants: The excavation exposed heavy clay subsoil.
Fertile soil mixture
- humusDecayed organic soil matter
- clayMoldable earth for ceramics
- siltWaterborne earth particles
- drainageLiquid removal system
nutrients · compaction · tillage · plowing · aeration · fertility · amendments · percolation
In a lower position
- buriedPlaced beneath earth
- depthsLowest or innermost regions
- groundwaterWater in underground rock
- underfootBeneath one's feet
excavation · geothermal · water table · aquifer · subsurface · earth · deep · underlying
Solid stone underground
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- horizonApparent earth-sky meeting
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- leachingDissolving out by liquid
permeability · porosity · pedology · mineralogy · stratigraphy · geotechnical · texture · earth science
Underlying support structure
- footingSecure ground position
- excavationAct of unearthing
- compactionReducing volume through pressure
- load-bearingSustaining structural mass
underpinning · grading · backfill · trenching · stability · settlement · pilings · footings
Grape-growing science
- vineyardGrape-growing estate
- rootstockBase for grafted plants
- drainageLiquid removal system
- mineralityRock-derived character in taste
microclimate · appellation · winemaking · limestone · chalk · slate · gravel · vintage
loam
Fertile soil mixture
drainage · nutrients · compaction · tillage · plowing · aeration · fertility · amendments · percolation · water table
beneath
In a lower position
- buriedPlaced beneath earth
- depthsLowest or innermost regions
- groundwaterWater in underground rock
underfoot · excavation · geothermal · water table · aquifer · subsurface · earth · deep · underlying · drilling
bedrock
Solid stone underground
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- horizonApparent earth-sky meeting
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
leaching · permeability · porosity · pedology · mineralogy · stratigraphy · geotechnical · texture · earth science
foundation
Underlying support structure
- footingSecure ground position
- excavationAct of unearthing
- compactionReducing volume through pressure
load-bearing · underpinning · grading · backfill · trenching · stability · settlement · pilings · footings · drainage
viticulture
Grape-growing science
minerality · microclimate · appellation · winemaking · limestone · chalk · slate · gravel · vintage · biodynamics
- Earthearth, Earth, globe, continent, axis
- Soildirt, loam, earth, ground, humus
- earth materialsrock, mud, clay, mineral, sand
- layerscanopy layer, paper sheets, veneer, laminate, cloud layer
- undergroundunderground, cave systems, tunnels, tunnel, underground passages
- groundground, earth, dirt, land, terra firma
subsoiltopsoil
Nutrient-rich surface earth
surface layer · A horizon · garden soil · bedrock · leaf litter