| From Dirt to Earth: Understanding What’s Underfoot I often get asked about the difference between dirt and soil, especially when I’m sorting through piles of old compost, half-finished heaps, or bags of “topsoil” left in garden corners. To most people, it all just looks like mud in different moods. But to a gardener, there’s a world of difference. Over the years, working with compost has shown me every stage of the cycle — from raw peelings and leaves to rich, dark humus. Along the way, you start to notice that not all ground material is equal. Some are alive and working, and some are just… there. Let’s break it down. |
| Compost Compost happens when organic matter — kitchen scraps, leaves, and green waste — starts to rot down with some help from air, moisture, and a whole army of tiny living things. When it’s half-done, you can still recognise what went in. When finished, it turns dark, crumbly, and smells pleasantly earthy. Compost is not soil itself — it’s soil food. It gives the ground life, structure, and energy. |
| Humus Humus is the final stage of decomposition — compost that’s broken down as far as it can go. There are no longer twigs or peelings; it’s completely transformed. Humus is dark, velvety, and rich — like the seasoning in a good stew. It holds water, nutrients, and carbon, keeping the soil stable and fertile. You’ll find it in healthy woodland earth and well-tended gardens that have been cared for over many seasons. |
| Soil Soil is where everything comes together — minerals, air, water, organic matter, humus, roots, worms, and microbes all living side by side. It’s not just ground; it’s a living system. Good soil has structure, breathes, drains, and holds moisture without turning to sludge. It also has texture and smell — that “fresh earth after rain” scent comes from active microbes doing their work. When people say “good garden soil,” they talk about a balance of life, air, and organic matter working in harmony. |
| Dirt Dirt is what happens when soil loses its life. It might have been bagged up too long, left to dry out, or stripped of organic matter. It’s dusty, pale, or compacted and doesn’t smell much. You can bring dirt back to life by adding compost or organic matter, but on its own, dirt will not benefit plants. Dirt is soil that has been separated from its ecosystem. |
| Earth Then there’s earth — a word that feels older, broader, and more complete. It’s the ground beneath our feet, the living body of soil that makes up the planet’s skin. When we talk about “good earth,” we usually mean soil that feels right — workable, full of life, and responsive to the weather. Earth is soil in context, connected to the broader landscape. When you spend enough time with all these materials — compost, humus, soil, dirt, and earth — you start to see how they link together. Compost feeds soil. Soil builds humus. Humus enriches the world. Dirt can become soil again with a bit of care. It’s all part of one long conversation happening quietly under our boots. |
Earthly Comforts 