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Mar 25, 2022 · What are the different types of soil? Our guide goes into detail about the 6 different types of soil and also a variety of common soils used.
- Glen Chandler
- Sandy Soil. If your garden soil looks more like a beach, it means you have sandy soil. Try to squeeze the soil into a ball, and the soil runs through your fingers.
- Clay Soil. Clay soils have opposite characteristics to sandy soil in terms of drainage and the size of soil particles. Unlike sand, clay particles are so small, and the texture gets firmer when pressed together.
- Silt Soil. Silty soils have high fertility ratings and are known to have smaller particles than sand. This soil type is light and moisture retentive. It contains smaller particles of the size between clay and sand soil.
- Loam Soil. Loam soil is a common soil type containing a mixture of sand, clay, silt, and humus. As a rule of thumb, the loamy soil in your garden should contain equal mixtures of the three soil types: sand, clay, and silt.
May 1, 2021 · The combination of nutrients, air, and water in the mixture is taken up by the plant roots, which feed the growing leaves and flowers. And it is the combination of these elements that dictates the pH of the soil as well.
Sep 14, 2017 · Beginner gardening, Lifestyle. What types of soil are in your garden? If you’ve ever had your soil tested, read the ingredients on a potting soil bag, or tried to order bulk garden soil, chances are you’ve come across some of these terms for the different types of soil.
- 4 min
- Bethany Hayes
- Loamy. The first type of soil is a loamy soil, which is like a mixture of clay, silt, and sand. When you hold it in your hands, it has a fine-texture and might feel a bit damp.
- Chalky. When compared to other soils, chalky soil has larger grains and a stony feel. Usually, it overlays limestone bedrock or chalk, so it’s free draining.
- Peaty. Peat soil has a dark color, and when it’s wet, it feels damp and spongy. Have you ever purchased peat moss at the store to add to your garden beds?
- Silty. Next up is silty soil, which feels soft in your hands, almost like soap. It holds moisture well, so it’s generally rich in nutrients. Gardeners love silty soil because it’s easily cultivated, but it can become compacted, so it poses problems for root crops.
Loamy soil comprises three soil types — clay, silt and sand — making it ideal for plant growth. Loam is rich, dark soil that can roll up in a firm ball and fall apart easily when touching it. The three soil type combination offers a fine and slightly damp texture that is excellent for growing plants and shrubs.
Aug 13, 2024 · The 4 soil types are sandy soil, clay soil, silt soil, and loamy soil. This information helps us understand why certain plants thrive or fail depending on the soil’s composition. How do you identify soil type?