Soil Testing

Today we collected soil samples from our garden.  We're testing our soil texture to be sure we will be growing some amazing crops!

 After watching the documentary "Dirt: The Movie!," some students felt compelled to smell our soil.  "It smells like grass," says one student.  She may or may not have tasted the dirt as well (don't try this at home).

 Take a good whiff!  "Smells like dirt."  True.

 We scooped up soil from all of our garden plots.  This is Plot C.  See the HUGE rosemary bush in the background?  It will come back to life soon enough.

Using a trowel to take a sample from Plot B, she's being sure to eliminate any rocks, twigs, and weeds from her sample ;)

 Dirt.  Soil.  "The skin of the Earth."

 Mr. Sam mixed up some detergent and water.  The soap acts as a dispersant to help separate the soil particles.  We added about 3 tablespoons.

  Tree hugger!

 After filling the jars the rest of the way with water, we had to shake things up!  I think there is a limit to how much shaking you should do, however.  Apparently, these glass jars ARE breakable...

The samples are resting in our science center.  We'll check them out Monday and post our results!