Loam Soil Pros & Cons

Soil Particles and Loam

• Soil is made up of particles of different sizes. In determining soil types, these particles are categorized according to their chemical composition and their size. Sand is the largest of the particles; sand particles are big enough to be seen without magnification, and sandy soil feels coarse to the touch. Silt particles are medium sized, and clay particles are tiny compared to sand and silt. Loam is a type of soil made up of a combination of all three kinds of particles. Its properties lie somewhere between the extreme properties of soils made up solely of one particle type; they hold water better than sand, but they drain better than silt or clay. Thanks to their balanced characteristics, loamy soils are the most versatile in terms of landscaping and gardening.

Sandy Loam

• Sand particles don't stick together well when they're wet, and they have large air spaces between them as they lie in the soil. This means that loam with a relatively large proportion of sand drains faster and more completely than a balanced loam that has equal amounts of sand, silt and clay. This can be an advantage for plants that require good drainage, but sandy loam doesn't hold water as well as loam with a higher proportion of silt or clay and must be watered more often. Sandy soils are generally easier to work than heavier soils, and their temperature increases faster than dense soils.

Silt Loam

• Loams with a high proportion of silt lie between sandy loams and clay loams in terms of water retention and soil density. They retain more water than sandy loams, which might drain too quickly for some applications, but they drain less readily than a balanced loam. They are less dense than a soil with a high clay content, so they are easier to work and are more hospitable to root growth.

Clay Loam

• Loam with a high clay content will retain water and hold together more tightly than sandy loam, so it's not ideal in areas where excellent drainage is required. In comparison to pure clay, however, clay loam drains better, so plant roots get plenty of air, and it is less dense than clay, so it is less likely to inhibit the growth of roots through the soil. Because of their water-retention capabilities, clay loams can be watered less frequently than sandy loams.