Soil

Soil can be classified in a number of ways, by texture, color and ability to retain water, for example. Below are the most general classifications of soil; most subcategories are derived from a...

Alkaline soils have a pH of over 7.1 to 14. Acid soils have a pH of 0 to 6.9, with pH 7 being neutral. Clay soil tends toward the alkaline, not the acidic

Gypsum is often said to improve any and all soils. However, this isn't true. Gypsum is a handy solution for those with heavy clay soils who want to break up or loosen the soil, although it will...

Soil is composed of rock particles, organic matter, water and air. Rough or sandy soil has large particles which allow for large pockets, or pores. Clay soil is composed of fine particles and has...

San Diego County's soil is diverse. It is also often inhospitable to large-scale farming. A comprehensive list of San Diego soils can be overwhelming, but knowing types of soil, how they are...

In recent years quite a bit of ecological attention has been focused on the salinity of soils. The scope of this attention is broad---indeed, it ranges from the effects of industrial operations on...

As any architect will tell you, a house built to stand the test of time requires a strong foundation. The same holds true for healthy, productive gardens and lawns which require a foundation of...

A thin layer of soil covers the top layer of the earth's crust. Soil is essential to agriculture and also supports buildings and roads.

Soil has various compositions and comes in a variety of forms. Natural soils consist of minerals, organic matter and living organisms that are in balance with surrounding geological features and...

From the Arctic to Australia, even in shallow waters, soil covers most of the land. The basic components of soils are the same, but differ in makeup. Soils are composed of clays, salts, plant...

Clay soils have fine particles that do not allow air or water to penetrate easily. They can be rock hard when dry and slippery when wet. Clay consists of a fair amount of organic material, but it...

Clay soils can become loose and expand in wet weather. In dry heat, the soil will contract and become compacted. Heavy vehicle traffic can intensify these conditions if left unchecked. The...

Soil comes in three basic kinds: sand, silt and clay. Most soils are a combination of the three. Types of soils depend on the variations in the weather, moisture and location in combination with...

Alkaline soils are determined by a pH test. This soil test is conducted to find the level of how sweet, alkaline or acidic the level of pH is in a soil sample. A neutral pH level is identified as...

Potting soil is a generic term for a variety of soils designed specifically for planting plants into containers. While many all-purpose potting soils are available and are easy to use on just...

South Carolina soils developed over a series of landforms that rise from the Atlantic coastal plain through the gently rolling upstate Piedmont to the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Soils of...

Soil is classified based on the amount, by weight, and if it contains of clay, silt and sand. All soils contain these elements. However, how much your soil contains of each individual element...

Adjusting your soils pH to match your plants needs can be done in a few easy steps.

There are three main types of soil--clay, loam and sandy soils. Some soils may be a mixture of sand and loam, which are ideal for growing a garden. Loamy soils need coarse sand added to provide...

There is no such thing as "bad soil." Some types of soil retain water longer than fast-draining sandy soil, and clay soil will retain water for a very long time. The problem is that clay soil...

If you live in an area that has a native soil composed mostly of sand, you will need to change your watering habits.