Module 2: Soils and water
This module looks at the properties of different soils and the methods used to improve soils for food growing. You will learn some simple tests for characterizing soil texture and drainage and how to identify quality if you are purchasing a soil for garden use. The module also describes how water functions and behaves in soils including infiltration, storage and drainage.
Lesson 1 - An introduction to soils
Gardeners tend to describe soils based on the following terms: clay, loam or sand. However, soils are much more than a word that describes their physical characteristics. Soil is created by the…
Lesson 2 - Soil properties
Soils are made up of physical, chemical and biological properties with each having a role to play in maintaining soil health and sustaining plant growth and performance.
Lesson 3 - Improve your soil
The best way to learn about your soil is by digging a sample and examining it carefully. Start by digging down a spade depth looking at the soil profile and the depth of the different layers. Is…
Lesson 4 - Water
Soil properties, particularly texture and structure, strongly influence how water behaves in the soil – how it infiltrates, how it is retained in and how it drains through soil. Air and water in soil…
Quiz - Summing up soil and water
Congratulations! That is Module 2 done. In order to recap this module and check that you retain all the main messages we have made you another quiz. Just a reminder - this module looked…