Definition

A layer of soil that is very hard and difficult for roots to penetrate, often made of clay or cemented material.

Example

The farmer struggled to plant the crops because the hardpan made the soil too tough to dig.

Conversation

Have you ever tried gardening in soil with a lot of hardpan?

No, I haven't! What’s it like?

It's really tough because the roots can't penetrate the hardpan layer easily.

That sounds frustrating. I guess you have to find a way to break it up first.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Hardpan → The word is formed from "hard" (from Old English "heard", meaning solid or firm) and "pan" (from Middle English "pan", meaning a flat surface or layer). The term "hardpan" refers to a dense, compact layer of soil that is hard and difficult to penetrate.

Memory Tip

Think of 'hard' meaning solid and 'pan' as a flat surface — together, they describe a solid, flat layer of soil.

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