Observations and results
Were some soils you tested more compacted than others? Did you find that the areas that received a lot of foot traffic were the more compacted? Were dry areas more compacted than moist areas? Did more compacted areas have fewer plants?

As soil is pressed down, such as by humans and other animals walking over it, it becomes compacted, or denser. This is why areas that receive a lot of foot traffic or areas that are driven over by vehicles are more susceptible to becoming compacted. When soil becomes too dense many organisms such as bugs, worms and some plants will be unable to live there. This is in part because it is harder for oxygen and water to penetrate into highly compacted soil. The lack of moisture can cause compacted soil to become dry, and you may have found that dry areas were denser than moist ones. What other qualities did you notice about soils that had different levels of compaction?

Cleanup
Clean the knitting needle with soap and water.

More to explore
Soil Compaction from Colorado State University
Recoverability and Vulnerability of Desert Ecosystems: Soil Compaction from the U.S. Geological Survey
Soil Compaction from Science Buddies

This activity brought to you in partnership with Science Buddies

2 Comments

1. 1. elderlybloke 04:42 AM 4/29/12

   I don't have a problem with compaction of the soil in my garden.
   I have small square or rectangular beds that can be worked on without walking all over them.
   Much work is saved by not having to dig up compacted soil,much better for the soil as well.
   The system allows me to grow as much in 1 sq.m as ordinary gardeners grow in 5 sq.m

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2. 2. Coolfire7890 in reply to elderlybloke 07:32 AM 4/29/12

   Good point but isn't having good soil for your garden the point of having a garden to plant flowers?
   

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