How to Determine Soil Type
There are three basic types of soil: clay, sandy and loam. It is important to know which type you have in order to properly fertilize and water your garden or lawn. Instead of just assuming that you have a certain type of soil, perform a soil test so that you know for sure what kind of soil you have.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Large jar with lid
- Water-softening powder
- Tap water
- Soil
- Level surface
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1
Fill the jar with about 21 oz. of tap water.
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2
Add 1 tsp. of water softening powder. Put the lid on the jar and shake it well until the powder is completely dissolved.
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3
Add enough soil so that the water reaches the top of the jar. Add the lid once more and shake the jar until the soil breaks down into small particles in the jar.
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4
Set the jar on a flat, level surface. The soil will settle at the bottom of the jar according to what is in the soil. Sand is the heaviest part of soil and it will fall to the bottom first, followed by silt particles and then clay particles will settle lastly on top.
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5
View the layers in your soil once all the particles have settled leaving the water on top of the soil relatively clear.
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6
Check to see if the soil layers are equal in size. If so, your soil is considered to be loamy, which is a great type of soil perfect for plant growth.
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7
Check to see if either the clay layer or the sandy layer is thicker than the other layers. If the clay layer is thicker, your soil is considered to be heavy or clay-like, if the sandy layer is thicker, your soil is considered light or sandy. Irrigation could be a problem with heavy and light soils and will need treatment for optimal plant growth.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Work organic matter into your light or heavy soil to improve its consistency. Peat moss or compost will provide essential vitamins and minerals to the soil to help plants to grow in these types of soils.
You can also do an initial test by taking a small piece of moist soil and rolling it in your fingers. If you have clay soil, you will be able to easily roll the soil into a ball; if you have sandy soil, the soil will fall apart immediately as you try to roll it; and if you have loam soil, a ball will start to form, but slowly fall apart as you roll the soil sample.
