Whether you’re growing a bountiful vegetable garden for your own produce or want to have beautiful flowers surrounding your home all year round, the key to your garden’s success will significantly be impacted by the kind of soil it’s growing in. Simply put, the healthier the soil is, the healthier your garden will be.
Though some of the best ways to enhance the nutrients of the soil is to add compost, fertiliser, manure, and other environmentally friendly nutrients, it’s important to determine which of the types of soil you already have, as well as its properties before adding more to it.
Editor’s Note [04.03.25]:
Our guide, “Everything You Need to Know About The Different Types of Soil for Plants” was first published on January 16, 2015. Today we have made numerous changes throughout the entire article. We have also added peat and chalky soil as new soil types. In addition, a table has been added “Improving different soil types and matching plants”.
Understanding Soil Basics
Soil is a complex system that supports plant growth, filters water and stores carbon. Understanding the basics of soil is key to gardening, agriculture and environmental conservation. Soil is made up of minerals, organic matter, water and air. The ratio of these components varies depending on the soil type which in turn affects its physical, chemical and biological properties.
One of the key aspects of soil basics is soil texture which determines water-holding capacity, aeration and root penetration. There are three main types of soil texture - sand, silt and clay:
- Sandy soils - have big particles that create lots of pore spaces which means good drainage but poor water retention
- Silt soils - have intermediate-sized particles which is a balance between sand and clay soils
- Clay soils - have tiny clay particles that are packed tightly which means high water retention but poor drainage
Loamy soils are a mix of sand, silt and clay. This is ideal for gardening because of its balanced texture and nutrient-holding capacity.
Another key aspect of soil basics is soil pH which affects the availability of nutrients for plant growth. Most plants prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil pH which is between 6.0 to 7.0. Alkaline soils like chalky soil have higher pH and can limit the availability of some nutrients. Acidic soils have lower pH and may need amendments to raise the pH to a more suitable level for most plants. Knowing your soil type and pH will help you make informed decisions on soil amendments and plant selection so your garden will thrive.
What are the Different Types of Soil?
Soil is naturally rich in three different types of mineral particles: clay, sand, and silt - each behaves differently and requires different needs (water, sun exposure, etc.) The texture of the soil changes as the relative percentage of each of these particles in the soil varies:
Sandy Soil
Unlike clay soil, sand soil has the largest pores between particles. However, even though it is not as fertile as clay and has a more difficult time retaining moisture, it still holds some benefits for growing vegetables.
Silt
With the particle size between that of clay and sand, silt shares similar qualities of clay, such as excellent draining capabilities, but has a much larger particle size so it is able to hold more nutrients than sandy soil. This easily compacted soil structure makes silt ideal for providing balanced moisture levels to plant roots while also supporting good air circulation, promoting healthy plant growth.
Clay Soil
Though this soil has the least amount of water and air between particles, a soil mixture that contains at least 50% clay actually holds water quite well once wet. It also drains, dries out, and warms up slowly, but clay soil is known to be very fertile. If you live in an area that tends to experience hot dry seasons, clay soil may be the most beneficial as it retains water well.
The numerous clay particles in this soil type contribute to its high water retention due to the capillary attraction in the small spaces between these particles.
Loam
Loamy soil, is a perfect mixture of sand (40%), clay (40%) and silt (20%), loam is the ideal soil texture to have. Among the different types of loam, clay loam and sandy loam are particularly notable for their unique characteristics and suitability for various cultivation needs. This balance ensures that loam retains moisture and nutrients effectively while allowing for excellent drainage. It also promotes good root development and air circulation, making it highly versatile and suitable for a wide range of plants.
Peat
Peat soil is dark and rich, with a spongy texture that allows it to retain large amounts of moisture. Known for its high organic content, peat is naturally acidic, making it ideal for acid-loving plants such as azaleas and blueberries and to support ericaceous plants, which need acidic soils. However, it can sometimes require pH adjustment and additional nutrients to create a balanced growing environment for a wider variety of plants.
Chalky
Chalky soil is highly alkaline and often stony, with a light, powdery texture that can limit nutrient availability for certain plants. Chalky soil is characterised by its high calcium carbonate content, which contributes to its alkaline nature. It drains quickly, making it well-suited for drought-tolerant and alkaline-loving plants like lavender and dianthus. However, chalky soil typically needs regular additions of organic matter to improve moisture retention and support a broader range of plants.
Enhancing Garden Soil Quality with Organic Matter
As previously mentioned, adding organic matter and other compost material to your garden’s soil will improve its texture, and ability to hold more water and nutrients. In addition to becoming more fertile, organic matter such as leaves, or grass clippings will also reduce the difficulty of the soil and drain water in a more efficient manner.
Common Soil Enrichers
Examples of high-quality soil enrichers you can add to your current soil are:
- Compost – ideal for enriching all soil types, compost boosts soil structure and nutrients
- Lime – add this to reduce acidity. Adding lime is best for peaty or clay soils
- Manure - adds nitrogen, and is particularly suitable for heavy-feeding plants
- Mulch – provides moisture retention, weed control, and slow nutrient release
- Peat – this acidifies soil and improves moisture retention but should be avoided wherever possible due to its environmental impact
But how exactly can you determine whether or not the soil in your garden has what plants require in order to grow and flourish? By examining the soil itself with a soil test.
Determining Soil Types and Testing Soil PH at Home
There are several ways you can determine what kind of soil you have in order to figure out what to add or subtract from it. Keep in mind that the texture of the soil will only change if you completely excavate the soil and replace it. Below are a few soil tests you can try yourself at home:
Ribbon Test
This is one of the simplest ways to test the texture of your soil. Roll a ping-pong-sized ball of damp, but not overly wet soil into your hand, and then squeeze the soil between your thumb and fingers in the palm of your hand to make a ribbon with the soil. If you are unable to form a ribbon, this likely means that the soil contains at least 50% sand and needs more clay. In some cases, there may be less than 50% sand and this can be determined by how long the ribbon is before breaking. The longer the ribbon is before breaking, the more clay particles it contains.
Jar Test
Using a tall wide-mouthed jar, add 1 inch of dry, crushed garden soil and 1 teaspoon of a dispersing agent (e.g.: Calgon or table salt), filling the jar ⅔ of the way with water. Shake the jar well and then allow the contents to settle for a few minutes. During this process, the sand will be the first to settle at the bottom after 1 to 2 minutes. After 4 to 5 hours the silt should be settled. And finally, the clay should settle after a few days. Once all of the contents have settled, measure the depth of each layer of soil and calculate the percentage of each.
PH Test
In addition to testing the texture and components of the soil, it’s important to test the pH level as well. To test the alkaline level, add a few drops of vinegar to 1 tablespoon of dried garden soil. The soil will begin to fizz if the pH is above 7.5 as the free carbonates in the soil naturally react with the acid at a pH of 7.5 or higher. The acidity of the soil can be tested by adding a small amount of baking soda to 1 tablespoon of wet soil. If the pH is less than 5.0 then the soil will start fizzing, indicating that the soil is very acidic. Ideally, the pH for a majority of plants will fall between 5.5 and 7.5, but there are a few plants that will prefer conditions outside of this range. Depending on where the soil lands on the pH scale, you can either add sulphur (for alkaline soil) or limestone (for acidic soil) until you reach the appropriate balance.
Performing multiple soil tests like the ones mentioned above will help you determine what you can and cannot grow in your garden.
Improving Different Soil Types and Matching Plants
Below we have summarised for each of the six different soil types, suggestions of how to improve soil quality as well as which plants to choose:
|
Soil Type |
How to Improve Different Soil Types |
Matching Plants to Soil Types |
|
Clay |
Add sand or organic matter to enhance the drainage |
Choose plants tolerant of slow-draining soils, e.g., roses, hydrangeas, etc., |
|
Sandy |
Add organic compost or peat to increase moisture retention |
Drought-resistant options like succulents, and herbs |
|
Silt |
Mix in sand or organic matter to boost structure and stability |
Select moisture-loving plants like ornamental grasses and ferns |
|
Loam |
Minimal amendments, but periodic organic matter keeps it fertile |
Loam is ideal for vegetables, annuals, perennials, etc. |
|
Peaty |
Consider adding lime for pH adjustment if needed; maintain organic balance |
Introduce acid-loving plants such as rhododendrons. Peat is ideal for crops such as carrots, celery, lettuce, onions, potatoes, sugar beet, and other salad crops |
|
Chalky |
Increase organic matter for better water retention and nutrient levels |
Buy alkaline-tolerant plants like aster, campanula, lavender and yarrow |
Conclusion
In short, knowing the types of soil is key to a healthy garden. By learning to identify clay, sand and loam soils you can tailor your gardening to the specific needs of your plants. Choosing the right soil for your plants means they get the right balance of nutrients and water retention for growth.
Balancing soil nutrients with organic matter, compost and other soil additives can make a huge difference to soil health. Testing your soil PH at home is also crucial to fine-tune the soil’s acidity or alkalinity to grow a wide range of plants. Knowing what is in your soil is key to a thriving garden whether you have sandy soils, clay soils or loamy soils.
Contact Us
Shedstore hope you have enjoyed our article about the different types of soil for plants. We are sure you will agree that having gone to the expense of buying a greenhouse, cold frame, raised beds, etc., balancing soil nutrients is an important gardening task. Here at Shedstore, we are always happy to help when you contact our friendly customer service team.
Contact us in these ways:
- Telephone – reach us directly on 0333 003 0518 for any questions regarding soil types, testing, or nutrient management
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