Soil Texture

The four main soil texture classifications are sand, clay, silt and loam. "Texture" refers to the size of individual soil particles, which is determined by the amounts of sand, silt, clay and organic material found in the soil.

Texture is important because it determines the nutrient- and moisture-holding capacity of the soil.

Sand is easy to work with and warms up quickly in the spring, but it has a low nutrient- and moisture-holding capacity. It drains well but also gives up water and nutrients very easily.

Clay has a high nutrient- and moisture-holding capacity, but drains poorly so plants are left with too much water and no oxygen.

Silt is intermediate to sand and clay.

Loam is a combination of sand, clay and silt particles. It is considered the best type of soil for gardening because it holds nutrients and moisture well, but also drains well so plants get lots of oxygen.

You can determine what kind of soil you have by having a soil laboratory test it, or with a simple ribbon method.

Just take a small handful of sand and add water until you can make a moist ball in your hand. Next, stretch the soil between your thumb and forefinger to try and make a ribbon. Whether or not you can do this will indicate what kind of soil you have.

To improve soil texture in clay soils, incorporate organic matter, such as leaf mulch or peat moss.