10 Things You Don’t Know About Dutch Soil (but desperately wanted to)

When picturing the Netherlands, tulip fields, windmills, and canals may often come to mind. But underneath all this is a foundation that’s just as fascinating—the Dutch soil. From watery beginnings to groundbreaking engineering feats, the soil in the Netherlands is undoubtedly unique. Here are 10 intriguing facts about the Dutch earth.

1. Much Of It Was Once Under Water

Around one-third of the Netherlands lies below sea level, and large portions of it once formed the seabed, swamps, or tidal flats. Because of the Netherlands’ sea level, over centuries, the Dutch drained lakes and reclaimed land from the sea behind dike defences or windmill pumps. The resulting area is known as ‘Polderland,’ which is flat, low-lying land enclosed by embankments. The soil here has traces of marine clay, rich in salt and shells, telltale signs of its oceanic past.

2. Peat Has Had an Enormous Impact on Dutch History

Peat is partially decayed vegetation found in wetlands, and was once available in enormous quantities in the Netherlands. In the Middle Ages, peat was extracted for fuel to heat homes. Poor peatland management also resulted in land subsidence and increased flood risk. Many of the lakes in the western parts of the country, such as the Loosdrechtse Plassen, are former peat extraction areas that were flooded after the peat was removed.

3. It Is Continuously Sinking

In the Netherlands, the ground slowly subsides, especially in peat-rich regions. The subsidence occurs due to a combination of natural settling, water drainage, or oxidation of organic material within the soil. In certain urban areas, such as Gouda or Amsterdam, the land settles 1 to 2 cm yearly. Hence, persistent engineering efforts are made to maintain infrastructure integrity and minimize flood risks for everyone’s safety.

4. The Netherlands Is a Soil Management Expert

With far too much land at risk of flooding and with the Netherlands’ sea level, the Dutch have become experts in soil and water management and are hugely successful in this area. Their know-how in the building of levees, the management of groundwater, and the reinforcement of foundation construction has put them on the map as consultants for countries with similar issues: from America to Bangladesh. Fun fact: Dutch advisors even helped England drain its marshlands back in the 1600s.

5. Soil Can Affect House Foundations

A large number of Dutch homes, such as those in older cities, are built on wooden piles, placed deep into the ground. Should groundwater levels drop too far, due to drought or over-drainage, the wooden piles may rot due to air exposure, potentially causing homes to tilt or even sink. Monitoring groundwater is a key activity in the Netherlands.

6. There Are Large Differences in Soil Type Across the Country

The Netherlands may be tiny, but that isn’t reflected in its soil diversity. Go east, and you’ll get sandy soils. Way out west, and you’ll find peat and marine clay. The south is known for loess (a wind-blown sediment) and river clay. You may not be a soil expert (yet), but you may not be surprised to know that these all combine to impact agriculture, biodiversity, and what can be grown when and where.

7. The Soil’s Link to The Ice Ages

The soil in the ‘higher up’ parts of the land, such as Drenthe and the Veluwe, contains remnants from the Ice Age. During this time, glaciers pushed forward and left sandy and gravelly deposits in their wake. Today, these are known as glacial till or moraines.

8. Urban Soil Pollution Is a Thing in Dutch Cities

In some cities, the soil contains pollutants like hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and PFAS—so-called forever chemicals due to their inability to break down easily. Because of this, any redevelopment on old industrial sites could require soil remediation to make sure the soil is safe for housing, etc.

9. Soil Quality is Key for Dutch Agriculture

As the world’s second-largest agricultural exporter, the country relies heavily on its soil. However, after years of ultra-intensive farming, fertilizers have reduced soil quality in some areas. There has been a growing interest in regenerative agricultural practices to restore organic matter and maintain farming productivity.

10. Soil has a Legal Status

Soil is not just dirt or earth in this country—it’s a regulated legal entity. The government imposes strictly upheld laws on soil integrity, contamination, and use. The Soil Protection Act, requires any party who invests or digs into the land to check for the presence of pollutants. These rules ensure the land remains healthy for future generations.

The Netherlands’ soil has been supporting the economy and shaping its history for over a millennia. From engineering marvels to agricultural innovation, the ground is an integral resource to the country’s history and future success—something to think about next time you’re walking on it.