Question

How does soil differ from dirt?

Answer 1

Soil is alive and useful for growing plants. Dirt is inorganic matter that is present in soil.

Explanation:

This article gives a good explanation of what constitutes dirt and what constitutes soil.

Dirt is the beginning step in the process of making soil. Inorganic particulates, such as sand, silt, and small rocks are referred to as dirt. Dirt is formed by weathering and erosion of rocks. It's the base of what makes soil, but plant's can't grow in dirt alone.

As decaying plant and animal matter gets mixed into the dirt, microbes get added and minerals and nutrients build up. That's when the dirt becomes soil. Soil has what plants need in order to grow.