Soil Texture

The classification of soil texture is based on the content of sand, silt and clay (stones and gravel are ignored) and it is possible to determine the composition of your soil using method 2 on the home page (mixing soil and water together in a jar and allowing the soil to settle over a few hours).


Light Soils
Light soils are predominantly sand with probably between 10 and 30% silt and clay. They are generally easy to work, warm up quickly in spring but dry out rapidly. They tend to be so porous that water and nutrients flush straight through them and this means overly frequent watering and feeding. They can be cultivated and walked upon at any time of year without fear of compacting them. Methods to improve the soil is discussed on another page. Notes on improving your soil are provided on the page gardening on sandy soil


Medium Soils
The best kind and will make you the envy of many. The proportion of sand to clay/ silt is about 50/50. A medium soil possesses all the advantages, albeit to a lesser degree, of both sandy and clay soils. Medium soils have a good crumb structure. They have a good moisture retention capabilities and as such hold on to their nutrient content as well. Whilst there is no need to improve a medium soil it is important to maintain it and this is discussed on the next page.


Heavy Soils
Heavy soils contain more clay and are therefore sticky as they retain so much water. They are generally harder to work but tend to be more fertile as the nutrients are not leached away by rainfall. They often become waterlogged in winter and remain cold and wet in the spring. Heavy soils also cakes hard and cracks in dry weather. How to improve heavy soil is discussed on this page.