Sub-soil is defined as the layer of soil below the topsoil, which contains less organic matter and nutrients. Its antonyms can be surface soil or topsoil, which refer to the uppermost layer of soil, usually rich in nutrients and organic matter. Another antonym for sub-soil is bedrock, which is the solid rock underlying the soil. Bedrock is usually very hard and does not contain any organic matter or nutrients that plants need, making it unsuitable for agricultural or gardening purposes. Additionally, the term overburden can be used to describe the layer of material covering sub-soil, which can be composed of rocks, sand, or other debris.