Community Home Community Gardening What type of soil do I have?

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    Rebecca Sizemore
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    Need help getting your soil type entered into your B-hyve app settings? Here’s a quick guide to the different types of soil and how to identify them:

    Clay

    Clay is typically heavy with very small particles. It compacts easily and is silky when dry. Clay soil retains water, but plants can have a harder time growing roots in clay due to its tight structure.  Adding organic matter to the soil can help improve the soil and make it easier for plants to grow.

    When performing a ribbon test on clay soil, the ribbon will extend 2-inches or more without breaking

    Clay soil has a Basic Intake Rate of .15 inches/hour, and a Field Capacity of 43%

    Clay Loam

    Clay loam is less heavy than pure clay and has small but slightly larger particles. There is more organic matter present in clay loam soil than in clay. It still compacts easily and is silky when dry. Clay loam soil retains water but plants may struggle growing roots due to its tight structure

    When performing a ribbon test on clay loam soil, the ribbon will extend 1 to 2-inches without breaking

    Clay Loam soil has a Basic Intake Rate of .2 inches/hour, and a Field Capacity of 32%

    Loam

    Loam, also known as topsoil, is typically rich, dark soil that has a loose breakable texture. Loam soil has a good balance of sand, silt, clay, and organic matter and is able to retain water while still allowing drainage. Most plants will have an easier time growing in loam than in any other type of soil.

    When performing a ribbon test on loam soil, the ribbon will extend less than 1 inch before breaking

    Loam soil has a Basic Intake Rate of .35 inches/hour, and a Field Capacity of 27%

    Sandy Loam

    Sandy loam soil is less crumbly and coarse than pure sand, it has some smaller particles and more organic matter. Sandy loam can still be gritty to the touch but when moistened will form into a ball. Plants in sandy loam will need more frequent watering, as sandy loam does not retain water and nutrients for long

    When performing a ribbon test on sandy loam the soil will form into a loose ball and the ribbon will extend less than 1 inch before breaking.

    Sandy loam soil has a Basic Intake Rate of .4 inches/hour, and a Field Capacity of 20%

    Sand

    Sandy soil is typically loose with large particles. Sand is gritty to the touch and even when moistened will not form into a ball without crumbling. Plants have a harder time growing in sand because water and nutrients are not retained long enough for plants to absorb. Adding organic matter to the soil can help improve the soil and make it easier for plants to grow.

    When performing a ribbon test on the sand, the soil will not form a ball without crumbling.

    Sandy soil has a Basic Intake Rate of .5 inches/hour, and a Field Capacity of 15%

     

    Still not sure what type of soil you have? Post your soil pics below and we’ll help you figure it out!

    #79510
    dvaunhowe
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    I purchased two soil sample/test kits from my state university’s extension program. It didn’t cost much but was very helpful and saved me money because I was adding supplement my soil didn’t need. Also, I can water less now that my grass and other plant roots are better developed. Despite the dry weather we have had this summer, my lawn has never been greener and with much less watering than in previous years. Potassium was the big deficiency. The results included suggested plans for soil improvement.

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