Some plants that grow well in clay soils: daylilies, Japanese maple, Russian sage, oak trees…
#2. Sandy Soil
- Texture: Gritty, loose, and easily falls apart.
- Drainage: High drainage.
- Nutrients: Low in nutrients and organic matter.
- Management Tips: Add organic matter and compost. Frequent light watering and mulching will retain moisture and reduce temperature fluctuations.
Some plants that grow well in sandy soils: lavender, pine trees, rosemary, sedum…
#3. Silty Soil
- Texture: Soft and soapy to touch, holds moisture, but is easier to compact than clay.
- Drainage: Better drainage than clay but can still become compacted.
- Nutrients: Highly fertile.
- Management Tips: Avoid compaction by not walking on it when wet. Add organic matter to enhance its productivity.
Some plants that grow well in silty soils: sedges, watercress, rice, cattails…
#4. Loamy Soil
- Texture: Ideal blend of sand, silt, and clay.
- Drainage: Well-drained yet retains moisture.
- Nutrients: Rich in nutrients and organic matter.
- Management Tips: Add organic matter annually, and rotate crops to prevent nutrient depletion. Use mulch to enhance its structure.
Some plants that grow well in loamy soils: tomatoes, carrots, spinach, strawberries…
#5. Peaty Soil
- Texture: Spongy.
- Drainage: Retain a lot more water.
- Nutrients: Rich in organic matter but often low in essential nutrients.
- Management Tips:Â Add lime to reduce acidity. Create drainage channels to prevent waterlogging.
Some plants that grow well in peaty soils: sundews, sphagnum moss, azaleas, cranberries…
#6. Chalky Soil
- Texture: Stony with larger grains and sits over limestone or chalk bedrock.
- Drainage: Drains well but can be dry.
- Nutrients: Often alkaline and low in iron and other trace elements.
- Management Tips: Add humus-rich material to improve moisture retention and nutrient levels. Iron chelates can manage chlorosis from nutrient deficiencies.
Some plants that grow well in chalky soils: wallflower, butterfly bush, sea holly, yarrow…
Think of soil types, you can mix them to create a diverse range of soils. For instance:
Clay loam combines the traits of loam with increased water-holding capacity from clay.
Silty clay blends clay and silt for improved drainage but faster erosion.
Sandy clay, a mix of clay and sand, is lighter and drains better than pure clay due to higher sand content.
Other Soil Characteristics
Soil pH
- Acidic soils: in regions with heavy rainfall.
- Neutral soils: ideal in in various environments.
- Alkaline soils: in arid regions with low rainfall
Soil nutrition
Three categories of soil nutrition include:
- Primary nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
- Secondary nutrients: magnesium, calcium, and sulfur.
- Micronutrients: boron, zinc, iron, and others.
Primary nutrients are the most important. Add one of them to grow your plants.
2. Ribbon Test
Take a small ball of moist soil, roughly ½ to ¾ inch in diameter, and hold it between your thumb and forefinger. If the soil is dry, spray it lightly with water.
Squeeze the moist soil ball into a flat ribbon shape, extending it beyond your fingers. When it breaks, measure its length with a ruler or tape measure to determine your soil type.
| Length of ribbon | Soil Type |
| No ribbon | Sand or a mixture of sand content |
| < 1 inch | Loam, sandy loam, or silt |
| 1 – 2 inches | Clay loam, sandy clay loam, or silty clay loam |
| >Â 2 inches | Clay, sandy clay, or silty clay |
3. Settle test
Put soil in a clear container. Add water, leaving space at the top.
Then shake it. After 12 hours, check the container.
| Mixture | Soil Type |
| Cloudy water with a layer of soil at the bottom | Clay, silt, or a mixture of both |
| Clear water with a thick layer of soil at the bottom | Sand or a mixture of both |
| Clear water with layers of various particles at the bottom | Loam |
| Pale gray water with white, gritty pieces at the bottom | Chalk or a mixture of both |
| Cloudy water, many particles floating on the surface, and a thin layer of soil at the bottom | Peat or a mixture of both |
Analog: Sticking a metal spike into the ground and checking parameters.
Lab test: Collect a soil sample and send it to a professional laboratory.
Improve Your Soil
Don’t worry about your soil. You can enhance soil fertility by adding organic matter like humus.
Remove compaction, regulate pH levels, and add mineral substances like sand, lime, or mineral fertilizers to make the soil healthy.
Besides, consider planting green trees or rotations to enrich the soil and promote healthier growth.
Soil management is continuous. By understanding your soil, you will make your outdoor space greater.
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