Makes moisture and nutrients readily available to plants. Is inorganic and does not deteriorate. Has essentially neutral pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Serves as an insulator to reduce extreme soil temperature fluctuations Is sterile and free of weeds and disease. Is clean, odorless, lightweight, and safe to handle.
Most products fall into one of several gradations or classifications.
Soil texture refers to the size of the soil particles present in any mass of soil,while soil structure refers to the arrangement of these particles. Texture is more or less a permanent property of a basic soil a grower uses which he can usually change very little. Soil structure may and usually does change however. These changes are brought about by variations in the nature of the materials present in the soil which bind the particles together in several arrangements. These changes are accomplished by the manner in which the soil is cultivated, handled or used.