If you are planning to get serious about gardening it is vital you get to be acquainted with your soil type. It does not matter how much work you do in your garden and yard, all that careful weeding, sowing, and tending could be futile if the quality of your soil is not up to mark.
The soil offers your plants with the fundamental nutrients, water and air that they necessitate for healthy growth and development. But every plot of ground has its own merge of minerals, inorganic and organic matter which largely decides what trees, shrubs or crops can be grown successfully.
Perfect soil conditions for particular crops can be created in contained plots such as planters or raised beds, but for superior gardens and landscapes it assists to know the characteristics of the soil you have to use.
The Types of Soil
Soils can be of six types: sandy, clay, peaty, silty, loamy, and chalky. They each have diverse properties and it is vital to know these to make the best choices and get the most from your garden.
This soil feels grainy. It drains easily, dries out quickly and is simple to cultivate. Sandy soil warms up quickly in spring and tends to hold smaller amount of nutrients as these are frequently washed away during wetter spells. This type of soil is ideal for bulbs and shrubs.
This soil feels lumpy and is muggy when wet and rock hard when dehydrated. Clay soil is meager at draining and has a small number of air spaces. The soil will warm up in spring slowly. Fruits trees, summer crop vegetables etc. thrive on clay soils.
Silty soil feels soapy and soft, it retains moisture, is typically very rich in nutrients. The soil is cultivated easily and can be compacted with little effort. This is a great soil for your garden if drainage is offered and managed. This soil is perfect for climbers, shrubs, grasses and vegetables.
Loamy soil, a comparatively even mix of clay, silt and sand, feels slightly moist and fine-textured. It has perfect characteristics for shrubs, lawns and gardening. Loamy soil has perfect structure, sufficient drainage, can hold moisture, is filled with nutrients, cultivated easily and it warms up fast in spring, but does not dry out in summer quickly. Maximum berry crops and vegetable crops will do well as loamy soil can be the most productive of soil types.
Peaty soil feels spongy and damp because of its higher levels of peat. It is an acidic soil which sluggish down decomposition and results to the soil having lesser nutrients. The soil warms up fast during spring and can retain lots of water which typically necessitates drainage. Drainage channels might need to be dug for soils with increased peat content. This soil is ideal for shrubs, vegetables etc.
This is larger grained and usually stonier compared to other soils. The soil is alkaline in nature which at times leads to short growth and yellowish leaves but this can be fixed by using suitable fertilizers. This soil is ideal for bulbs, trees, and shrubs.
Benedict T. Palen, Jr., has three decades of experience performing in agricultural speculations, management, and operations. Right now, Benedict T. Palen, Jr., serves as manager and co-owner for Great Plains Farms, LLC, running all from the purchase and assessment of farmland to offering recommendations on irrigation development and operator training.
