It’s easy to find out the quality of your soil – and it’s easy to improve it.
There are three different types of soil. Consider the list below to determine yours. If you are still unsure, visit your local garden center. They are experts in your region’s conditions and are there to help.
Clay soils have the smallest particles that hold together in a tight mass. If your soil sticks to your shovel, or if it becomes rock hard and refuses to absorb water when dry, you’ve got mostly clay soil, which can be hard for roots to penetrate.
Sandy soils have the largest particles that barely hold together at all. If water endlessly seeps into your soil, or if it is very easy to dig when wet or dry, you have mostly sand – which is often not very fertile.
Loam is a general word for near-perfect soil that has lots of organic matter, enough sand to be easy to dig in, but sufficient clay to provide fertility and solid anchoring for plants.
What Makes Things Grow
Fertile soil makes plants grow. Most soils need to be improved to make plants perform well and be more resistant to pests and disease.
Fertile soil is dark in color because it contains organic matter – the decomposing remains of plants. When fully decomposed it becomes humus, a form that plants can use. Examples of humus are compost, composted steer manure, ground peat and leaf mould. Adding lots of humus will reward you by producing faster growth on more beautiful plants and flowers.
