Plants Can’t Swim

Plants Can’t Swim

Build Soil that Drains
Lesson: 2.4
Station: Soil Management
Format: Experiment
Rating:
Intermediate Lesson 2.4 Plants Can't Swim

Lesson Overview

Drainage is an often overlooked aspect of good soil. This lesson walks students through a drainage test to establish a baseline for the soil in the raised planters and garden beds. This baseline will allow students to measure improvements to drainage as a result of soil amendments in the future.

Goals

  • Students will be able to explain the importance of proper drainage and the soil conditions that promote it.

Outcomes

Students will test the drainage of a soil sample in order to establish a baseline and measure improvements as changes to soil composition are made.

Teach the Teacher

Tools & Materials

  • 1 or 2 liter bottle
  • Scissors
  • Small hand shovel
  • Soil sample
  • Water

Activity

The composition of the soil in your raised planters or garden beds can have a profound impact on the growing process. Holding nutrients, allowing for airflow, draining properly, and providing the necessary structural habitat for beneficial microbes and insects are all elements of good soil.

The absence of those attributes can lead to soil compaction, nutrient loss, insufficient microbial activity and an environment that is too wet or dry. But how do you know what kind of soil you have?

Run a basic soil drainage test. The results will provide a baseline for comparison and allow you to better understand the impact of your soil amendments over time.

Transfer a vertical sample of the planter or garden soil to a small container such as a 1 or 2-liter bottle with the bottom cut off. The bottle should be inverted to allow the water to drain through the small hole at the top (which for this test will be the bottom). Measure the rate at which water drains through the soil. Log the result and test it periodically.

Related Lessons

Give the Advanced lesson a try now that you’ve completed the Intermediate Lesson! Or revisit the Beginner Lesson as needed.

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