Soil fertility and water

Water

important for soil because it needs to hold some water, but not too much. Here’s how different things can help or hurt the soil's ability to hold water

Things that help soil hold water

Aerated soil

This means the soil has air spaces because of tiny creatures living in it, which helps it hold water better

Compost/humus/organic matter

These are like natural fertilizers that help the soil keep water

Clay, hold water

This type of soil can hold a lot of water because its tiny particles fit tightly together

Root structure

Plants, especially native ones, have roots that help keep the soil loose and hold water

Things that make it harder for soil to hold water

Compacted soil

When heavy machines or animals walk on the soil, it gets squished and can’t hold water well

Topsoil erosion

When the top layer of soil washes or blows away, it can lose its ability to hold water

Sand

Sandy soil doesn’t hold water well because it has big spaces, so water just drains right through

Root loss

If plants die or are removed, the soil loses the roots that help keep it together and hold water