Lesson 15: Understanding soil, and comparing it with compost Quiz

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What is the most likely reason for there not being empty space at the top of a bed with sides, meaning you cannot add mulch without it overflowing?

1 point

Because, in raised beds, the mulch should only be very thin

Because compost in raised beds doesn’t condense

Because the bed was originally filled with soil, which, unlike compost, doesn’t condense

Because the bed was mulched with compost a year ago

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In terms of growing plants, what are the differences between topsoil and subsoil? Choose the answer which covers most aspects.

1 point

Subsoil has nutrients, but they are less available to plant roots

Topsoil has more biological activity

All of these

Topsoil has more organic matter, and hence a darker colour

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Which is the most reliable indication that soil is truly compacted?

1 point

It has irregular air channels

You can walk on it without sinking much

It will be firm to the touch

It has changed colour to orange, grey or pale blue, with a smell of putrefaction

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Should you use soil as a base layer in a new shallow bed,15cm (6in) or less, for vegetables?

1 point

Yes – because you can’t sow and plant in 100% compost

It's better to mix soil and compost when filling the bed

No – best results are from using only compost

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Why is it worth adding soil as a base layer in deeper beds, say more than 30cm (12in) deep?

1 point

To hold more moisture

Because it helps to retain the volume of the bed

In order to increase fertility

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For a bed with sides, why is it good that the contents shrink?

1 point

Because it allows earthworms to reach the top more easily

Because you then have space to add compost to the surface each year

Because you can fit taller crops in and still reach them

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Why might it take longer to weed a bed of soil, compared to a same size bed of compost?

1 point

The weeds have deeper roots in soil

Wet soil sticks to the weed roots and fingers, while dry soil is often hard

Hoeing is impossible in soil

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Bought topsoil is generally of less good quality than topsoil in your own garden.

1 point

True

False

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In the comparison beds, one of soil and one of compost, did you notice whether it was generally the first or second plantings which gave bigger harvests in the soil bed, compared to the compost bed?

1 point

First plantings (potatoes, shallots, garlic)

Second plantings (beetroot, cabbage, kale)

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What might be the reason for this?

1 point

As the soil hadn’t had a crop in recently, it was full of the nutrients required

The compost must have been badly made, and lacking in certain nutrients which these particular plants needed

Moving/loosening/digging soil exposes some of it to air (oxygen) which stimulates bacteria, thus decomposing some nutrients and making them available to plants

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