Soil is a living, breathing foundation that supports the life of your garden.
Every gardener, whether a seasoned green thumb or a budding enthusiast, quickly learns that understanding the soil types in their garden is key to growing plants well.
So, if you are wondering how many types of soil there are, and how we can improve it, let's find out in the following post.
I will share the basics of different soil types and how you can best nurture each to achieve a thriving garden. Understanding the soil types in your garden is an important step when you start a garden from scratch.
Some plants that grow well in clay soils: daylilies, Japanese maple, Russian sage, oak trees...
Some plants that grow well in sandy soils: lavender, pine trees, rosemary, sedum...
Some plants that grow well in silty soils: sedges, watercress, rice, cattails...
Some plants that grow well in loamy soils: tomatoes, carrots, spinach, strawberries...
Some plants that grow well in peaty soils: sundews, sphagnum moss, azaleas, cranberries...
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.
Three categories of soil nutrition include:
Primary nutrients are the most important. Add one of them to grow your plants.
1. Touch Test
Rub damp soil between your hands; if dry, spritz with a spray bottle to moisten.
| Feeling | Soil Type |
| Gritty | Sand or a mixture of sand content |
| Sticky | Clay or a mixture of clay content |
| Fine, soft, and slightly damp | Loam |
| Soft and slippery | Silt or a mixture of silt content |
| Rocky and chalky | Chalk or a mixture of chalk |
| Spongy and damp | Peat or a mixture of peat content |
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 |
| > 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 |
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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