There are six main types of soil; chalky, clay, loamy, peaty, sandy and silty. Each will have different characteristics depending on where they are located. You may have heard of some of these terms on gardening programs or through friends or neighbours who have an interest in gardening. You may have even said to yourself before ‘I need to buy some soil’. Today we take a look at the six main types of soil and their characteristics to help you decide which type of soil is best suited to your garden or yard.
Soil is a mixture of minerals, organic matter, gases and liquids. Soil consists of rocks, minerals, and living organisms that interact with each other and their environment. Although “soil” is basically a synonym for dirt, it can vary in texture from very fine (sand) to very coarse (clay). Typically soil has enough water and air for roots to breathe and plants to grow. You can always use a garden bed with multiple tiers so you can use a range of different soils, have a look at our list below to help you decide.
Chalk
Choosing the right garden soil is critical to your success as a gardener. If you’re looking for something with a lot of drainage, then chalky soils are right for you.
Chalky soil is a great choice for climbing plants. These soils have a high pH, which means they’re alkaline; this makes them well-suited to plants that like sharp drainage and are not too greedy in terms of nutrient requirements.
The best climbing plants for chalky soils include akebia, clematis, grape vines, ivy, jasmine, lonicera and virginia creeper.
Clay
Clay soils are often rich in nutrients, but they can be difficult to work with. That’s because clay is compact and sticky, which makes it difficult to plant anything in the ground. Clay soil also tends to have a high water content, which means your plants will need watering more frequently than if you were growing them in sandy or loamy soil.
Trees, shrubs (especially roses), climbers and many bulbs are easier to grow on clay soils than plants that require frequent sowing, planting or dividing; annuals or bedding plants, for example.
Loam
Soil for your garden doesn’t have to be complicated. There are a few things you can do to make sure you’re getting the best soil for your plants, and it won’t take much effort on your part.
First time gardening can be make easier by making sure you’re using a loamy soil. Loamy soil is ideal for most garden plants because it holds plenty of moisture but also drains well so that sufficient air can reach the roots. You can tell if a piece of dirt is loamy by digging in with your hands or with a shovel and seeing how easily it forms into clumps when squeezed together. Loamy soils are often dark brown or black in color, but not always!
If you want to ensure that your garden will have good drainage even during heavy rains, consider adding some gravel or rocks to provide extra space for water to drain away from plant roots. This helps prevent root rot and other problems caused by standing water around plant roots over time.
Peaty
When choosing the right garden soil, it’s important to consider the crops you’ll be growing. Crops such as potatoes, sugar beet, celery, onions, carrots, lettuce and market garden crops are commonly grown with Peaty soil.
Peaty soil is rich in organic matter and provides good drainage for your plants. If you’re looking for soil that lets moisture drain away from the roots of your plants, Peaty soil is a good option. It also helps to prevent waterlogging when it rains heavily or if you water frequently during the summer months.
Sandy
Sandy soils generally drain well and hold little water, most flowering plants benefit from the fact that it is well drained.
Sandy soils can be amended with organic matter like compost or rotted manure to improve their structure and make them more fertile.
Silty
Soil is the foundation of a garden, and choosing the right soil for your needs is important. If you have sandy soil, you’ll need to add more organic matter to it so that it will retain water and nutrients. You can also improve clay soils by adding sand or silt.
Silty soil is usually more fertile than other types of soil, meaning it is good for growing crops. Silt promotes water retention and air circulation. Too much clay can make soil too stiff for plants to thrive.
Which Soil Is Right For You?
Soil is the foundation of any garden. It’s what your plants will grow in, and it’s what your vegetables will feed off of. If you don’t have the right soil for your garden, you could end up with stunted crops and a dying garden. We hope this post has helped you decide which soil is best for your yard.
