The Best Types of Soil
- One of the best types of soil to use is clay. These soils feature extremely small particles that hold moisture well. In fact, you only can see these particles with the help of an electron microscope, according to the Garden Line website. Clay is fine in texture and feels sticky and plastic-like when it is wet. Clay holds nutrients efficiently, which will save you money on water and fertilizer when caring for your garden. In addition, adding organic matter such as compost in clay soil dramatically improves it. You can grow plants such as broccoli and cabbages as well as shallow-rooted trees in this type of soil.
- Silt also is a suitable soil type to use. It has particles that are not as fine as those that make up clay but much smaller than those in sand. As with clay, you must use an electron microscope to see the particles in silt, which include organic matter as well as minerals such as quartz. This soil is considered to be one of the most fertile soil types and includes more nutrients than sandy soil but still provides good drainage. In addition, it holds moisture well and is easy to work with because of its weak soil structure.
- Sandy soil features larger particles than those in clay or silt -- particles that can be seen with the naked eye. This type of soil is gritty and coarse in texture because its particles include weathered rocks such as granite and limestone. Sandy soil warms up quickly in the spring, so you can start planting earlier in this soil type.
In addition, sandy soil drains quickly and easily following a rain and is easy to work with because large gaps exist among its large particles. Quick drainage is important to prevent plants and their roots from being saturated and becoming more susceptible to plant diseases. Too much water also deprives plants of needed oxygen and stunts their growth. You can enrich sandy soil by incorporating organic matter such as peat moss or well-rotted manure into the soil. Sandy soil is appropriate for growing root vegetables including parsnips or carrots. - Loam soil combines the benefits of silt, clay and sandy soils. Loam soil often is considered the best type of soil to use for cultivation and generally is 20 percent clay, 20 percent sand and 40 percent silt. Loamy soils look rich, retain moisture and drain well, as they are loose. In addition, they are rich in nutrients and are known for their workability, particularly when they are full of organic matter.
