Soil functions

Soil is like a big garden that helps plants and other living things grow. Soil has lots of different functions. It holds the water that plants need to survive, it holds the air that plants need to breathe, and it has lots of tiny pieces of rock and minerals that plants need to build strong branches and leaves. Soil also acts like food for plants - it has lots of different nutrients that help plants stay healthy. Finally, soil also protects plants from pests, like bugs or animals, so they can grow and thrive.