Soil Types & Their Effects

Sand

• Soil is classified by the size of the particles that make it up. This relates to the soil's texture. The roughest soil is sandy soil because it has the largest particles of all soil types. This gritty type of soil is made up primarily of weathered rocks and minerals. It has less organic material than some other soils, and it also has the least ability to retain moisture. Plants in sandy soil are prone to dehydration because of over-draining. When sandy soil occurs in an area that receives a lot of rain or watering, it has trouble retaining the moisture, and many of the important nutrients gets washed away from the roots of the plants.

Silt

• Silt is a medium grain soil that has a weak structure. It is very easy to work with and is sometimes considered the most fertile of the three major types of soil. It contains more nutrients for plants than sandy soil, and it still drains very well. Plants that require good drainage are often said to dislike "wet feet," and silty soil can be the ideal type of soil for growing these species. Silt looks like dark-colored sand when it is dry and feels smooth and powdery. When wet, it has a smooth feel but is not sticky.

Clay

• Clay has the smallest particles of the three major types of soil. This very smooth soil can be hard and clumpy when dry, but it becomes very sticky when it is wet. It is a heavy soil that contains many nutrients. However, water and air have more trouble passing through the dense clay. This poor drainage calls for loosening of the soil to make it suitable for healthy plants to grow. Otherwise, the clay can hold too much water and essentially drown some plants.

Loam

• Loamy soil is considered the ideal mixture of the three major types of soil. According to the European Agriculture Investment Services website, this perfect soil is made up of around 40 percent sand, 40 percent silt and 20 percent clay. It contains the needed nutrients to provide plants with healthy growth and drains very well, making it ideal for cultivation.