How to Plant in Sandy Loam Soil

Most potting soils are loam soil.

Sandy loam soil is one of the most preferable types of soil for many types of plants. Loam soil combines sand, clay and silt particles to create a rich, crumbly soil that absorbs and retains water well. According to Rain.org, loam soil contains 25 to 50 percent sand, 30 to 50 percent silt and 10 to 30 percent clay. Planting in loam soil with a high percentage of sand is the same as planting in normal loam soil, but extra amendments may be made to compensate for slightly lower water retention rates.

Things You'll Need

• Soil test kit
• Tiller
• Soil amendments
• Seeds or transplants

Instructions

1. Perform a soil test the summer prior to planting. Purchase kits from the local cooperative extension office or a garden supply store. Even though loam is a preferable soil texture, other variables in your soil may need to be compensated for. A soil test tells gardeners about the mineral composition of their soil.

2. Compare the results of the soil test with the requirements of the plants being grown the following year to create a plan for amending the soil. For example, blueberries require a highly acidic soil to grow. If your loam soil has a pH level higher or lower than the blueberries need, additions known as amendments will need to be added to the soil to alter the pH level. Lime is typically used to raise pH levels, while sulfur products are used to lower it.

3. Till the top foot of soil the fall prior to planting. Different plants may need different soil amendments. Mark off the sections of yard where different amendments are being added to the existing soil.

4. Layer the amendments on top of the tilled soil. Many sandy loams drain quickly due to the percentage of sand in the soil. Add heavier organic material amendments such as compost or leaves to compensate for this.

5. Mix the amendments into the soil with the tiller. Leave the soil alone until the following spring. Till the soil again two to three weeks after the last frost.

6. Research the planting requirements for your garden. Homeowners laying grass seed have different preparations than homeowners planning a vegetable or flower garden.

7. Plant the seeds or transplants in the soil at the appropriate time. Follow the planting, sun and watering instructions for the specific plant. Mulches help to retain moisture, and can compensate for the quick-draining properties of sandy loam. Use fertilizers to compensate for the poor nutrient retention of sandy soils.

References

• City of Bremerton: Soil Types
• Rain.org: Soil Types and Testing
• Avant-Gardening: Creative Organic Gardening - Sustainable Soil Building
• University of Minnesota Sustainable Urban Landscape Information Series: Modifying Soil pH
• Purdue University Consumer Horticulture: What is Loam?