Organic soil is alive with microbes, good insects and earthworms, toxic chemical soil is dead or overloaded with pathogens and insect pests. Organic soil has a balance of major nutrients and trace minerals, toxic chemical soil is not balanced. It has little carbon and a deficiency of trace minerals. Organic soil drains well, chemical soil often doesn't. Dead, chemical-laden soil sticks to your shoes when wet. Healthy, sweet smelling, productive soil doesn't.