The parent material is the most effective environmental factor in the formation of Irish soil. Irish soil can be mostly described as young soil, as an early stage of development. This is as a result of the last ice age, whick covered the entire country. The soil closely reflects the mineral composition of the parent rock, but not completely, as the formation of Irish soil, has had several contributing factors. One such is Agriculture; Ireland has been farmed for over 5000 years. This has modified Irish soil, especially its upper horizon; in Ireland cultivation has played an important part in weakening soil structure and soil fertility. An example of this in County Down, where we can see the effect of differing tree’s being planted on the soil profile. Scots pines tend to form horizontal podsols, while beeches are associated with brown earth / soil.

  In some parts of Ireland, especially the North of the country. Basalt rock can account for 1/3 of underlying rock, giving a unique impact on soil development, freely draining basalt sol, has a dark chocolate appearance, which can hide the organic content. This brown earth needs little lime scale to lower its soil ph.

In mountainy areas the soil can be peaty, Soil PH, elevation, waterfall all contribute to this development of peat soil. The climate has played an important part in the development of this type of earth. Blanket peat is normally associated with excessive surface wetness. The exploitation of peat soil, for fuel and horticulture uses, has depleted this type of soil. Blanket peat is a very young type of soil, it has only been around for several thousand years.

 

The most common Irish soil type is a glacial till. Vast areas of Ireland are covered with this rich fine earth, which have made Ireland an abundant provider of food. The weather also affects the earth, by varying the rate of decay of organic material, and the amount of minerals washed out of the soil.

You need to ask when farming or gardening what type of soil do you have, as it can vary from heavy clay to silt to sand. Peaty soils are almost black as they are primarily decomposed organic matter. Sandy soil can feel gritty to the touch. The PH of your soil, will affect what you can grow on it. Some plants thrive in acidic soil, while others prefer alkaline soil. Signs of poor soil include water sitting on the surface, stunted plant growth. Perfect soil can be elusive, its better to grow plants suited to your soil.

Soil is basically divided in to two areas, top soil and sub soil. Top soil is usually darker in colour and is a good growth median. Sub soil is poor in nutrients and its earth has often been highly compacted.

Good soil has several distinctive characteristics, dark in colour, light to dig, and moist without being water logged, it s important to add humus to the topsoil, to improve its quality and replace lost nutrients to the soil. Irish soil in wet ground can leech its nutrients but remember there is really nothing as bad soil.