Soil

Question 1

Soil texture describes the proportion of what?

Answer 1

sand, silt and clay

Question 2

Soil texts typically do NOT contain information about

Answer 2

the amount in nitrogen in the soil

Question 3

What is the name for a biochemical reaction in which soils store certain kinds of materials and release them at a later date?

Answer 3

Caton exchange

Question 4

True or False: Most soils in the Mid-Atlantic states are acidic in their natural state

Answer 4

True

Question 5

Organic matter makes up what percent, by weight, of most soils’ solid material?

Answer 5

2 to 5%

Question 6

The best way to improve the structure of a soil that contains a large percentage of clay is to amend it with?

Answer 6

organic matter

Question 7

Why is organic matter so important to soil?

Answer 7

1) It slowly releases nutrients to plants
2) it holds water for plant uptake,
3) it increases earthworm and microbial populations
4) it loosens clay soils and improves drainage

Question 8

Which two nitrogen-containing molecules do plants take up through their root system?

Answer 8

Nitrate and Ammonium

Question 9

What would you apply to soil that has a low pH and is low in magnesium?

Answer 9

Dolomitic limestone

Question 10

What is the first thing you should do when preparing a new area for a garden?

Answer 10

Perform a standard soil test

Question 11

Which type of soil carries negative charges and holds positively charged potassium and calcium ions?

Answer 11

Clay and hummus

Question 12

A bag of 4-2-2 dried poultry manure contains (by weight)?

Answer 12

4% nitrogen, 2% phosphate, and 2% potash