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Asked by: Ramiro Gaita
business and finance environmental services industryHow do I know what type of soil I have?
The best way to tell what type of soil you have is by touching it and rolling it in your hands.
- Sandy soil has a gritty element – you can feel sand grains within it, and it falls through your fingers.
- Clay soil has a smearing quality, and is sticky when wet.
- Pure silt soils are rare, especially in gardens.
Also know, how do I know my soil type?
There are six main types of soil: chalky, clay, loamy, peaty, sandy and silty. To test your soil, you need to take a look at it and feel it. Add water and try rolling it between your hands. Observe how your soil looks and feels, and whether it's sticky, gritty, friable, or slimy.
The Six Types of Soil
- Clay Soil. Clay soil feels lumpy and is sticky when wet and rock hard when dry.
- Sandy Soil.
- Silty Soil.
- Peaty Soil.
- Chalky Soil.
- Loamy Soil.
Keeping this in consideration, how do I know if my soil is sandy or clay?
If the soil falls apart when you open your hand, then you have sandy soil and clay is not the issue. If the soil stays clumped together and then falls apart when you prod it, then your soil is in good condition. If the soil stays clumped and doesn't fall apart when prodded, then you have clay soil.
Most common garden plants prefer loam — soils with a balance of different-sized mineral particles (approximately 40% sand, 40% silt, and 20% clay) with ample organic matter and pore space. However, some plants grow better in sandy soils, while others are well-adapted to clay soils.