Soil Structure

Tamara Dinter, Dinter Nursery General Manager and Soil Enthusiast

Soil consists of 50% air and water, 45% soil particles (in the form of sand, silt or clay) and 5% organic matter. Soil particles and organic matter stick together to form aggregates. The spaces within and between these aggregates constitute the 50% of soil that is filled by air or water, and a great deal of soil life!

The term soil structure refers to the arrangement of soil aggregates and the spaces between them. Aggregates range in size from 1 to 10 mm in diameter. A good quality top soil has a balance of space between the aggregates (macropores) and within the aggregates (micropores). A soil with good structure easily absorbs and retains moisture in the micropores, while the macropores drain more quickly allowing air circulation between the aggregates. Very sandy or very clayey soils may have poor structure - that is, no aggregates at all. Sandy soils that have little or no silt or clay particles, or organic matter, will not form any aggregates, while very clayey soils may completely bind together into one large mass with no pore spaces.

Adding organic matter (e.g. compost) to your soil is the key ingredient for creating a good soil structure. Soil organic matter binds soil particles together into aggregates and provides food for the soil organisms which play an important role in aggregate formation.

Once you have a good soil structure in place, avoid activities that may break aggregates apart or press them together (compaction). This means avoiding walking on soil or digging in soil when it is wet, as this crushes the aggregates and reduces the macro and micro pore spaces. Soil tilling can also be disruptive to aggregates, although may be necessary in soil that has had a long fallow period as soil particles tend to compact over time.

For most home gardeners, simply loosening the soil with a spade or pitchfork before early Spring planting (rather than completely turning the soil or rototilling) reduces soil compaction and increases aeration without disrupting existing soil aggregates too much. Lastly, regularly adding a layer of organic matter to the soil surface will stimulate movement of soil organisms within the topsoil, providing aeration naturally.

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