Dirty or soiled...

There are a few things an aspiring gardener should know. I think the first is the difference between soil and dirt. Until recently I really had no definite ideas on what the difference is, though I had a few thoughts floating around in my head. What I have learned the more I poke around is that it really depends what your perspective on the subject is that decides how you see the difference between the two.

Some take the position of place. Soil is what you find under your feet, dirt is what you find under your fingernails. It seems that the displacement of tiny morsels of soil, little runaway renegades are relegated to the status of dirt. While as long as there is a giant party going on, it can be considered a soil party.

There are those more partial to the scientific disposition who speak of the layers or horizons that make up the earth. The first layer is top soil, followed by subsoil, then weathered parent material, and finally bedrock. The first two layers are the only ones that support plant life. Apparently dirt does not enter the equation here.

I personally like dirt better than soil because I think soil sounds pretentious. However I did find one explanation I found helpful, and is probably the most commonly adopted by gardeners. Soil holds all of the key ingredients to providing life. These important ingredients are classified in three ways: texture, structure, and tilth. As well as innumerable nutrients and organic happenings going on inside like decomposition and microbial life.

• Texture refers to the relative percentage of sand, silt and clay within the dirt. Ideally you want an equal mixture of the three to have healthy soil. 
• Structure is how sand, silt and clay fit together. Good structure is evident when the soil holds together if squeezed, but breaks apart or crumbles easily when disturbed.
• Tilth has to do with how well soil drains. Ideal tilth is loose enough to allow for adequate drainage, yet dense enough to retain moisture long enough for plant roots to utilize it.

Now that I have expounded on a few different ways to differentiate between soil and dirt I will give you mine. It's all dirt, it's more a matter of good dirt or bad dirt, healthy dirt or dirt in need of help. And the main reason I side with dirt is when I think about applying the monichers to myself I would always rather be dirty than soiled.