Soil quiz: know your soil & plants better

Q1. What color are your plant’s leaves right now?

Bright green and evenly colored
Yellowing across older leaves
Brown tips or curling edges
Patchy, with dark spots or discoloration

Q2. How does the soil look on the surface?

Moist and slightly crumbly
Dry and cracked
Hard, compacted, like clay
White layer or mold-like growth

Q3. What does your compost/soil smell like?

Earthy and neutral
Strong neem or chemical scent
No smell at all
Rotten, foul, or like ammonia

Q4. How fast are your plants growing?

Noticeable growth in last 2–3 weeks
Stuck — no change for over a month
Losing leaves or looking smaller
Just new leaves but weak stems

Q5. Are pests or insects visible?

No pests at all
Few harmless insects like worms
White flies, fungus gnats, or mealybugs
Ants or black bugs near roots

Q6. When you press your finger into the soil, what happens?

It sinks easily and feels soft
Top 1 inch is hard, rest is soft
Feels dry, compact, and tough to break
Sticky or muddy even after days without watering

Q7. How does your compost/soil feel in your hand?

Crumbly, moist, and fluffy
Dry, powdery, and dusty
Clumpy or sticky
Hard, like small rocks or pebbles

Q8. When you water your plants, how does the soil react?

Absorbs water evenly
Water pools and takes time to absorb
Water runs off quickly without soaking
Water disappears fast, but soil stays dry underneath

Q9. If you dig 1–2 inches below the surface, what do you see?

Moist, dark soil with visible life
Dry and pale with no signs of life
White clumps, salt or mold patches
Smells sour or unusually warm

Q10. Have you ever seen earthworms in your pots or beds?

Yes, regularly
Sometimes, but rare
Never — even after adding compost
I’m not sure / I’ve never checked

Q11. How often do you water your plants?

Every day
Every 2–3 days
Once a week or less
Only when the soil looks dry

Q12. What time of day do you usually water?

Early morning (before 10 AM)
Late evening (after sunset)
Midday (11 AM–3 PM)
Varies / no fixed schedule

Q13. Where are your plants kept?

Outdoor with full sunlight
Balcony or indirect light
Indoors, near a window
Indoors, low light or fluorescent light

Q14. Do you prune, trim, or clean your plants regularly?

Yes, once a week or more
Occasionally, when needed
Rarely — maybe once in months
I don’t do this at all

Q15. Do you use any fertilizers, boosters, or pesticides?

Only natural compost or vermiwash
Sometimes use chemical NPK sprays
Use neem or herbal protection sprays
I don’t use anything — just water

Q16. Have you used compost or soil boosters before?

Yes – high-quality, moist vermicompost
Yes – dry compost from online/local stores
Yes – but unsure what kind it was
No – never used any compost

Q17. How did your plants respond to that compost?

Visible growth, healthier leaves within 2–3 weeks
No change or slow response
Smell was strong or chemical-like
Plants worsened or developed pests after using

Q18. Have you used any sprays or treatments on your plants?

Yes – herbal or neem-based sprays
Yes – chemical NPK or pesticide sprays
Sometimes – not sure what was in it
Never used any spray or tonic

Q19. What’s the texture of compost you used earlier?

Moist, dark, and crumbly
Bone-dry and powdery
Sticky or clumped together
Smelled like perfume or neem

Q20. Do you know where your compost came from?

Yes – I bought from a trusted farm/source
No idea – it was online or local market
A friend or nursery gave it
I made it myself at home

Q21. What does your soil look like when dry?

Light brown and cracks easily
Hard and sticky when wet, cracks when dry
Crumbly and dark even when dry
I use ready-made potting soil or compost

Q22. What happens when you dig 4–5 inches deep?

Soil is dry and pale below the surface
Feels dense or sticky, holds water but no air
Moist with signs of worms or fine roots
Haven’t checked before / Not sure

Q23. What kind of plants are you growing?

Flowers, leafy greens, or herbs
Indoor potted plants (money plant, snake plant)
Fruits, veggies, or terrace farming
Mixed types or not sure

Q24. What’s your gardening goal?

Fix yellowing or revive dying plants
Maintain healthy growth + prevent problems
Grow veggies or increase flowering
Just starting out — want to learn & try

Q25. How much space do you want to treat?

2–3 pots (balcony or indoor)
5–10 planters or a small patch
Full terrace, lawn, or kitchen garden
Not sure — I want help deciding