topsoils
Fertile ground layers
Topsoils is the plural of topsoil, the uppermost layer of soil where most plant roots grow and organic matter accumulates.
This dark, nutrient-rich layer varies in depth but typically extends six to twelve inches down.
Gardeners and farmers prize good topsoil for its fertility, and it's often sold commercially for landscaping projects.
We ordered several cubic yards of topsoils to fill the raised beds.
Fertile soil mixture
- humusDecayed organic soil matter
- clayMoldable earth for ceramics
- sandFine rock particles
- siltWaterborne earth particles
peat · minerals · aggregates · texture · horizon · profile · pH · drainage
Microscopic living entities
- earthwormsSoil-dwelling segmented invertebrates
- biotaRegional living organisms
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- detritivoresCreatures consuming dead material
bacteria · fungi · nematodes · protozoa · symbiosis · biodiversity · habitat · aeration
Decayed organic fertilizer
- manureAnimal waste as fertilizer
- vermicompostWorm-digested organic material
- biocharCharred biomass soil amendment
- mulchProtective plant bedding
perlite · vermiculite · bone-meal · biosolids · guano · lime · gypsum · fertilizer
Soil preparation for planting
- sowingPlanting for cultivation
- fallowUnplanted field recovering
- cultivationFostering growth through care
- farmlandAgricultural terrain
seedbed · furrow · plowing · acreage · tractor · combine · harvester · agronomy
Excess water drainage
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- degradationDecline in condition
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
- desertificationLand becoming barren, infertile
gully · overgrazing · rill · weathering · siltation · leaching · stripping · denudation
loam
Fertile soil mixture
silt · peat · minerals · aggregates · texture · horizon · profile · pH · drainage · moisture
microorganisms
Microscopic living entities
- earthwormsSoil-dwelling segmented invertebrates
- biotaRegional living organisms
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
detritivores · bacteria · fungi · nematodes · protozoa · symbiosis · biodiversity · habitat · aeration · aggregation
compost
Decayed organic fertilizer
- manureAnimal waste as fertilizer
- vermicompostWorm-digested organic material
- biocharCharred biomass soil amendment
mulch · perlite · vermiculite · bone-meal · biosolids · guano · lime · gypsum · fertilizer · nitrogen
tillage
Soil preparation for planting
- sowingPlanting for cultivation
- fallowUnplanted field recovering
- cultivationFostering growth through care
farmland · seedbed · furrow · plowing · acreage · tractor · combine · harvester · agronomy · harrow
runoff
Excess water drainage
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- degradationDecline in condition
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
desertification · gully · overgrazing · rill · weathering · siltation · leaching · stripping · denudation · washout