topsoil
Where roots thrive
Topsoil is the uppermost layer of soil, typically the top few inches, where most plant roots grow and organic matter concentrates.
It's darker and richer than the subsoil beneath it.
Gardeners buy topsoil to improve planting beds: We spread fresh topsoil before laying the sod.
Erosion and construction can strip away topsoil, leaving less fertile ground.
Decayed organic soil matter
- loamFertile soil mixture
- peatWaterlogged decomposed vegetation
- clayMoldable earth for ceramics
- siltWaterborne earth particles
sand · organic matter · minerals · compost · vermiculite · perlite · detritus · aggregates
Decayed organic fertilizer
- mulchProtective plant bedding
- bedsFurniture for sleeping
- trowelFlat blade for spreading
- seedlingsNewly germinated plants
transplanting · weeding · spade · raised beds · potting · container · amendment · no-till
Apparent earth-sky meeting
- stratumHorizontal layer of material
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
- profileSide-facing outline
- depthDistance below surface
A horizon · pedology · geology · cross-section · thickness · accumulation · surface · crust
Rich in humus
- nutrient-richContaining abundant nourishment
- arableFit for cultivation
- productiveGenerating useful output
- darkAbsence of light
crumbly · well-drained · nitrogen · phosphorus · potassium · pH · amendments · manure
Preventing waste or loss
- regenerativeAble to renew itself
- permacultureSustainable ecosystem design method
- compostingDecomposing organic matter deliberately
- organicFrom living matter
cover crops · no-till · restoration · carbon sequestration · biodiversity · green manure · biochar · erosion control
Fostering growth through care
- plowingTurning earth for crops
- tillageSoil preparation for planting
- farmingCultivating land for food
- cropCultivated agricultural plants
harvest · sowing · planting · irrigation · fertilization · rotation · yield · acreage
Microscopic living organisms
- mycorrhizaeFungal-root mutualistic associations
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- earthwormsSoil-dwelling segmented invertebrates
worm castings · biota · microorganisms · nematodes · decomposers · root systems · microfauna · beneficial insects
Particles settling in liquid
- runoffExcess water drainage
- gullyingForming erosion channels
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
- overgrazingExcessive pasture consumption
degradation · siltation · compaction · leaching · scouring · denudation · rill · windblown
humus
Decayed organic soil matter
silt · sand · organic matter · minerals · compost · vermiculite · perlite · detritus · aggregates · particles
compost
Decayed organic fertilizer
seedlings · transplanting · weeding · spade · raised beds · potting · container · amendment · no-till
horizon
Apparent earth-sky meeting
- stratumHorizontal layer of material
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
- profileSide-facing outline
depth · A horizon · pedology · geology · cross-section · thickness · accumulation · surface · crust · regolith
loamy
Rich in humus
- nutrient-richContaining abundant nourishment
- arableFit for cultivation
- productiveGenerating useful output
dark · crumbly · well-drained · nitrogen · phosphorus · potassium · pH · amendments · manure · enrichment
conservation
Preventing waste or loss
- regenerativeAble to renew itself
- permacultureSustainable ecosystem design method
- compostingDecomposing organic matter deliberately
organic · cover crops · no-till · restoration · carbon sequestration · biodiversity · green manure · biochar · erosion control
cultivation
Fostering growth through care
crop · harvest · sowing · planting · irrigation · fertilization · rotation · yield · acreage · fieldwork
microbes
Microscopic living organisms
- mycorrhizaeFungal-root mutualistic associations
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
earthworms · worm castings · biota · microorganisms · nematodes · decomposers · root systems · microfauna · beneficial insects
sediment
Particles settling in liquid
- runoffExcess water drainage
- gullyingForming erosion channels
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
overgrazing · degradation · siltation · compaction · leaching · scouring · denudation · rill · windblown · loss
- landscapinglawn care, landscaping, lawn mowing, grading, gardening
- earth materialsrock, mud, clay, mineral, sand
- layerscanopy layer, paper sheets, veneer, laminate, cloud layer
- land restorationreforestation, ecosystem restoration, revegetation, rewilding, land reclamation
- Rich Soilshumus, loam, compost, peat, organic matter
- soil conservationerosion control, cover crops, terracing, strip cropping, conservation tillage
topsoilbedrock
Solid stone underground
subsoil · hardpan · deep earth · regolith
topsoilsky
Visible overhead expanse
atmosphere · air · heavens · upper atmosphere · firmament