S3 Ep6: Summer Series - Supportive Surfaces

Remember, too much water can actually ruin a garden.

Good point.

I know we mentioned the effects of too much water in Chapter 2 of In the Garden, most notably keeping plants from being able to get oxygen from the soil.

But we also discussed so many reasons why water is vital to plant growth.

Right! Water is necessary for photosynthesis, so plants can make their food.

And water helps transport nutrients from the soil.

Hey, speaking of the soil, our mystery is all about it and where the best soil in the world is found.

Oh, yay! Our mystery is a wild place.

But what do you mean by best soil? I always hear that the best soil is the soil full of earthworms.

That's a very good question.

By best, I mean the most nutritious soil.

The soil in this mystery location is full of humus.

I always read hummus in my head when I see the word humus, but I know it's spelled with just one M and doesn't refer to chickpeas.

Well, now I'm hungry.

But for hummus, not humus.

Humus has lots of decomposed plants and animals in it.

So, It's rich in organic matter.

Right, and it's full of nutrients that plants love.

Our mystery location has soils that are up to 16% or more

humus.

So, lots of nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and lots of other big words.

What types of plants commonly grow in these soils? If I know the plants, that might give me a clue as to which biome our mystery locations are found in.

Well, there are lots of grasses growing there, and sometimes livestock are common as well.

I know livestock aren't plants, but I'm throwing in that clue for free.

I will never turn down a free clue.