What is loamy soil

Many gardeners, however, learn to estimate the content of their soil by feel. To get an idea of your soil type, pick up a handful of slightly damp soil and squeeze it tightly in your fist to form a ball; then, open your hand and observe the results. A third method for determining the content of your soil is to fill a lidded glass jar halfway to the top with soil and then pour in water until the jar is three-quarters full.

Put on the lid and shake the jar vigorously to thoroughly blend the mixture, and then set it aside. After six to 10 hours, check the jar—the soil and water will have separated and settled into layers. Sand the heaviest will be at the bottom, silt will be in the middle, and clay will be on top.

If the sand and silt layers are relatively equal and the clay layer is about half their thickness, congratulations—you have loamy soil! If signs point imbalanced proportions of silt, clay, and sand, you can take steps to bring the soil into a more beneficial balance.

No matter what imbalance your soil currently has, the key to achieving a fertile loamy soil is to amend it with organic matter. It may take several years, but eventually the soil compaction will be improved. Although adding some sand along with the organic matter is acceptable, adding sand alone is not advised. The organic matter offers several advantages that sand does not, including increased water- and nutrient-holding capabilities, in addition to improved aeration. Highly sandy soils can be a problem since they do not hold much water and few nutrients, as well.

Adding organic materials to a sandy soil will improve its ability to hold water and nutrients. This translates to about 17 cubic feet of organic matter to cover a square-foot area. And remember that soil improvement is a program, not just a one-shot deal. If you have trouble accessing this page because of a disability, please contact Indiana Yard and Garden — Purdue Consumer Horticulture at homehort purdue.

Loading Purdue system wide search. Silt, made from quartz and feldspar, is slippery when wet, which makes it home to many microorganisms and decaying organic matter humus.

Clay is formed from silicate rocks, composed of silicon and oxygen, and has the convenient property of being negatively charged, which attracts the positively charged elements calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus — essential for plant growth. Clay particles also hold large amounts of water. How do you know if your loam soil has the proper balance of sand, silt, and clay? If the clump immediately falls apart, your soil is too sandy.

If it doesn't crumble at all, your soil has too much clay. Soil that's too silty will feel slimy when wet and become powdery when dry. The ideal loam soil will hold its shape but crumble if you start poking at it. For a more scientific test, your county extension office or university extension service can determine your soil type and its suitability for gardening.

The way to create the right balance is to add organic matter — such as compost, grass clippings, dried leaves, or composted manure — which will break down over time, add nutrients to your soil, attract worms and microorganisms, create vital air pockets, and help your soil retain moisture. One cubic yard of loam will fill the bed of a pickup truck. Plants extract precious nutrients from your soil, so it's important to regularly freshen your soil with organic matter.

Do so annually in the early spring or, better yet, late fall, to give the organic matter time to work its way to the root level of your soil. Rather than purchasing compost, however, it's easy enough to make your own. Here are some strategies:. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content.