How to Test Soil Composition at Home
It's helpful as a gardener to know what percentage of your soil is sand, silt or clay. Sand drains well, while silt and clay retain water. Check the soil composition at each area where you will be planting. Through a soil analysis, you will know what plants will thrive or what soil additives you may need. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Spread a soil sample on a newspaper to dry. Remove trash, roots and rocks. Crush any clods of soil.
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Add the soil to a tall, slender jar until it is quarter full. Add tap water until the jar is three-quarters full, recommends the Colorado State University Extension. Add a teaspoon of powdered, non-foaming laundry detergent.
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Twist on the lid. Shake the jar vigorously for 15 minutes so what you are seeing is a murky, muddy fluid. Set the jar aside where it will not be disturbed for two days, to allow the contents to settle.
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Wait one minute for the largest sand particles to settle. Mark on the side of the jar this depth.
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Wait two hours and mark on the jar the depth of the silt, the next layer. After two days, mark the level of clay.
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Measure from the bottom of the jar to the top of the clay soil -- the top level. Measure the height of each individual layer. For example, assume the height of all three layers is 1.5 inches with a breakdown of a quarter inch of clay, a half-inch of silt and three-quarters of an inch of sand. That means that 50 percent of this soil sample is sand, silt is 33 percent and clay is 17 percent. Since sand drains well, this soil should drain well, making it suitable for plants who don't like to keep their roots wet.
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Tips & Warnings
Because the sediment in the jar will not be equal -- some or all sediment layers may be angled - - twist the jar to find what appears to be the most level sections to take your measurements.
References
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