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Actinomycete
A group of microorganisms, intermediate between bacteria and true fungi, that usually produce a characteristic branched mycelium. These organisms are responsible for the earthy smell of compost.

Aeration
The process by which the oxygen-deficient air in compost is replaced by air from the atmosphere. Aeration can be enhanced by turning.

Aerobic
An adjective describing an organism or process that requires oxygen (for example, an aerobic organism).

Anaerobic
An adjective describing an organism or process that does not require air or free oxygen.

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Bacteria
A group of microorganisms having single-celled or noncellular bodies.

Berm
A narrow ledge or shelf, as along the top or bottom of a slope

Blanket
Material placed on soil or a streambank to cover eroding soil. See Erosion control blanket.

Buffer
A small area of permanent vegetation bordering a field, stream, or lake or running through cropland, protecting the soil from wind and rain erosion, slowing water runoff, and trapping sediment and other pollutants.

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Clay
Cohesive soil whose individual particles are not visible to the unaided human eye (less than 0.002 mm in diameter). Clay can be molded into a ball that will not crumble.

Compaction
The pressing together of soil particles into a more dense mass

Compost
Composting is the biological degradation and transformation of organic solid waste under controlled conditions designed to promote aerobic decomposition. Natural decay of organic solid waste under uncontrolled conditions is not composting.

Compost bears little physical resemblance to the raw material from which it originated. Compost is an organic matter source that has the unique ability to improve the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of soils or growing media. It contains plant nutrients but is not characterized as a fertilizer.

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Erosion Control Blanket
Blanket made from compost, topsoil, straw or any material and enveloped in plastic or biodegradable netting. Used to stabilize disturbed or highly erosive soils while vegetation is established. Temporary blankets made from biodegradable or photodegradable components last several months to a year, and permanent blankets (also called turf reinforcement mats) can last for several years.

Erosion
Removal of soil particles by wind and water.

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Fertigation
The application of fertilizer through an irrigation system.

Field Capacity
The amount of water a soil can hold.

Fill Material
Soil, rock, gravel or other matter that is placed at a specified location to bring the ground surface up to a desired elevation.

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Geotextile
Textile made from synthetic fibers, usually nonbiodegradable. Geotextiles can be woven or nonwoven and have varying degrees of porosity. They are used as moisture barriers, for separation or reinforcement of soils, for filtration, and for drainage.

Gravel
Soil particles ranging from 1/5 inch to 3 inches in diameter.

Greenbelt
Strip of trees and shrubs growing parallel to a stream that prevents overuse of the top bank area by people, animals and machinery; retards rainfall runoff down the bank slope; and provides a root system that binds soil particles together

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Humus
Dark-colored soil organic matter.

Inorganic
Not composed of organic matter. Involving no organic life or products of organic life.

Loam
An easily crumbled soil consisting of a mixture of clay, silt and sand

Microscopic Soil Particles
Clay and silt; particles that cannot be observed by the unaided human eye.

Mulch
Any material placed on the soil surface to reduce evaporation, help control weeds or prevent erosion. Mulch is any material, such as wood chips, grass clippings, leaves, or compost that is spread over the surface of soil.

Mycorrhizae
Fungi in soil; beneficial mycorrhizae in the root systems of plants help plants withstand extreme temperatures and increase their capacity to acquire nutrients.

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Organic Matter
Soil material deriving from living material, composed of carbon containing compounds. Yard waste, food waste, manure and woody debris; these organic materials decompose in nature to make healthy soil.

Overseeding
Adding new seeds into an existing lawn to improve bare spots, thicken turf and helps crowd out weeds.

Rock
Soil particles greater than 3 inches in diameter

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Sand
Soil particles ranging from 0.05 to 2.0 mm in diameter; individual particles are visible to the unaided human eye.

Sediment
Soil particles that have been transported away from their natural location by wind or water action.

Silt
Soil whose individual particles are not visible to the unaided human eye (0.002 to 0.05 mm). Silt will crumble when rolled into a ball.

Sod
Plugs, squares or strips of turf with the adhering soil.

Soil
The unconsolidated cover of the earth, made up of mineral and organic components, water and air and capable of supporting plant life. Soil finer than sand but coarser than clay, but not so fine that it can remain suspended in water for long periods. The grain size is considered to be less than 0.0625 mm.

Soil Amendment
Any material added to the soil to enhance plant growth and soil tilth through improving the physical, chemical and biological status of the soil. They contain mostly organic matter or very slow-release minerals. Soil amendments are usually tilled into the top 6 inches of the soil.

Soil Organic Matter
All organic substance in the soil, living or dead, fresh or decomposed. Includes plant roots, small animals, plant and animal residues, humus and microbes.

Sustainable
Maintain and keep in existence.

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Tackifier
Material sprayed onto a soil surface to bind soil particles and prevent erosion. Compost has natural tackifiers.

Texture
Refers to relative proportions of clay, silt, and sand in soil

Tilth
Cultivated soil in good physical condition for supporting soil life. Soil is loose and easy to work, so tools, as well as plant roots, can readily dig in. The tilth of the soil is a composite of its texture, structure, aggregation, density, drainage and water holding capacity.

Thatch
A layer of organic material between the crown of the plant and the true soil surface.

Topdressing
A thin layer of soil applied to a turf.

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Yard Debris
Plant material commonly created in the course of maintaining yards and gardens and through horticulture, gardening, landscaping or similar activities. Yard debris includes, but is not limited to, grass clippings, leaves, branches, brush, weeds, flowers, roots, windfall fruit and vegetable garden debris.

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