How to Identify Your Soil Type

There are only three main types – clay, sandy and loam soils – and one very simple way to figure out which is which. Take a handful of soil and squeeze it. If it keeps its shape, you've got clay. If it falls apart and won't hold its shape, it's sandy. And if it holds its shape, but is still crumbly, lucky you. You have loam.

Clay Soils

Clay soils have the smallest particles. They have numerous pore spaces between them and are highly effective holders of both water and nutrients. But small pore sizes also don't allow air and water to move through the soil, so clay soils don't drain very well. As a result, a plant's roots can essentially smother because it can't get any air.

What to do?

Clay soils can be improved best by thoroughly digging in plenty of very coarse, long-lasting material such as Redwood Soil Conditioner. Make sure the material is composted well and check to see if it is nitrogen-fortified. If not, add a nitrogen fertilizer while amending your soil so there is a sufficient source of nitrogen in the soil for the plants.

Sandy Soils

These soils have just the opposite problem because the pore spaces between particles are too large. They drain too well and water and nutrients are leached away before they can do your plant much good.

What to do?

Sandy soils benefit most from amendments that are fine and increase water-holding capacity, such as One Earth Organic Compost, OSH Garden Compost or OSH NutraPeat.

Loam Soils

A good loam – which is the gardener's idea of soil heaven – is a combination of clay, sand and silt (a medium-sized particle) that holds nutrients well and provides good drainage.

What to do?

Even good, loam soils need amendments added when you plant because plants routinely deplete nutrients. Choose a good all around organic compost such as One Earth Organic Compost and dig in before planting any new plants. Also, apply as a top dressing periodically through a plant's life to replace needed nutrients.