So I often get into conversations regarding why we chose the name 'Convert The Dirt', and why for most people they assume that dirt and soil are the same thing. Well, essentially the name is there to invoke an educational chat and also state our intention, that is convert lifeless dirt into living soil.
So is there really a difference? Yep there sure is.
The below table shows an account of the most common differences between dirt and soil that are understood as of today.
| DIRT | SOIL |
Sand | Yes | Yes |
Silt | Yes | Yes |
Clay | Yes | Yes |
Nutrients in plant available form | No | Yes |
Organic Matter | Rarely | Yes |
Living Anerobic Organisms | Sometimes | Rare |
Living Aerobic Organisms | Rare | Yes |
Humus/Fulvic Acids | Rare | Yes |
As you can see the basis of dirt and soil are the physical components of sand, silt and clay. That is where the similarities end. Both the sands, silts and clays contain nutrients, however without the additional components namely, organic matter and living aerobic organisms there is no mineral cycle to convert these into a form that is available for the plant to uptake.
I will go into discussing these differences in further detail in future posts, however I hope at the moment that this gives you a basic understanding of the main differences between DIRT and SOIL.
Thanks for reading,
Sam
For more information on improving your soil health check out Convert the Dirt