Due to differences in environmental characteristics and vegetation restoration methods, there are regional Symbol`@@differences in the ecological benefits of different small watersheds on the Loess Plateau. In order to study the differences and influencing mechanisms of soil physicochemical properties under different environments and vegetation restoration methods, this study selected two small watersheds on the Loess Plateau with different vegetation restoration methods (Pinus tabulaeformis artificial forest, Platycladus orientalis artificial forest, and natural restoration control) as the research objects, and compared and analyzed the impact and contribution of vegetation restoration methods and environmental characteristics on soil nutrient storage, soil moisture status, as well as vegetation growth status and other ecological restoration benefits. The results showed that: (1) Under natural restoration in Jixian County, the total nitrogen content was the highest, with an average of 0.79 g/kg; The average organic carbon content of Pinus tabulaeformis in Dingxi was the highest, followed by the control in Jixian, with an average of 16.91 g/kg and 13.46/kg, respectively; The highest total phosphorus and potassium contents were found in the Pinus tabulaeformis sample plots in Jixian County and Platycladus orientalis sample plots in Dingxi, with an average of 2.40 g/kg and 23.43 g/kg, respectively. (2) The contents of soil available nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium in the Pinus tabulaeformis, Platycladus orientalis, and natural control plots in Jixian were 2.89%, 81.03%, and 7.49% higher than those in Dingxi, respectively. (3) Based on the results of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Decomposition of Variance (VP), the main factors affecting soil nutrients and water content varied in different small watersheds. The main factors affecting soil nutrients in Jixian and Dingxi small watersheds were soil physical properties and vegetation attributes, with explanatory degrees of 79.92% and 55.3%, respectively; The main factors affecting soil moisture content were rainfall and soil vegetation, with explanations of 87.06% and 43.53%, respectively. The above results indicate that the vegetation in Jixian area, which is prone to rainfall, is suitable for natural restoration, while the vegetation in Dingxi area, which is relatively arid, is suitable for artificial restoration. This study considers artificial and natural restoration methods for vegetation restoration on the Loess Plateau. The results demonstrate that the environmental characteristics such as rainfall and water content in different regions affect vegetation growth status and ecological benefits of vegetation restoration. This can provide data and theoretical support for scientific vegetation restoration strategies tailored to local conditions.