How to Make Loamy Soil

Plants love loamy soil.

A rich, dark, crumbly soil that can drain water but still retain moisture is considered loamy soil. Heavy, compacted soil doesn't drain well, and sandy soil doesn't hold water or nutrients. You can do a simple test to find out what kind of soil you have in your garden.
Take wet soil in your hand and squeeze it. Clay soil will stay in a ball, and may feel greasy. If the soil falls apart, it is mostly sand. If the soil stays together at first, but then breaks up when you touch it, you probably have the loamy soil that most plants love. Topsoil with compost is available at garden centers for an immediate fix, but additions of organic material to either clay or sandy soil can create loamy soil.

Things You'll Need

• Garden spade Garden rake Well-rotted manure, peat moss, ground bark, sawdust, compost or combination of any of these

Instructions

1. Add enough water to the organic material to make it moist.

2. Spread 4 inches of your chosen organic matter over the topsoil.

3. Rake and spade the soil well to blend the organic matter with your garden soil to a depth of 12 inches.

4. Rake the soil to smooth it.

Tips & Warnings

• It takes several years of adding organic matter to change the nature of soil.

References

• What is Loam?
• Soil Preparation