Natural Sciences and Technology Grade 5-B ... - Thunderbolt Kids

Sandy soil is the soil you find at the beach. It consists of large
gritty particles and very tiny bits of rock which we call grains of
sand. The grains of sand are coarse and the soil is loose.
Can you see how in the picture of sandy soil, the grains can fall
though your hand? It does not retain fertilisers. It is easily washed
or blown away. It becomes warm quickly on asunny day. Plants do
not grow well in sandy soil.
Sandy soil has lots of coarse grains of sand. 6
QUESTIONS
1. Why do you think plants do not grow well in sandy soil?
Sandy soil does not have any nutrients. It is easily blown
away so plants can not form roots or roots become
exposed. Sandy soil does not retain water.
Have you ever made apot out of clay? If you are lucky enough to
have done this or seen someone do it, you will know a bit about
the properties of clay.
Clay can be moulded. This is because it consists mainly of very fine
particles which cling together. Clay gets sticky when wet. It retains
fertilisers for a very long time. It is dicult for clay to be blown
away or washed away. It does not become as warm as sandy soil.
Clay soil consists of lots of very fine grains of clay and can
be moulded into pots.
Chapter 2. Surface of the Earth
113