Soil can display a wide range of colors including brown, red, yellow, black, gray, white, and even blue or green, and vary dramatically across landscapes, between the various horizons of a soil profile, and even within a single clod of soil.

The organic matter is called humus, and in good quality soil it will be dark and crumbly. There are normally two layers – the topsoil and the subsoil. The upper section usually contains more humus, roots, animals, air and nutrients than the second section, which is often more dense and less nutritious.