Soil Testing Made Easy

Not all soil was created equal; a soil test can help determine which plants are suited to your specific soil. Once you follow this basic guide, you better understand what you are working with, and if you need to add amendments like compost, mulch or manure. You can even get a better idea of how much water your plants will need.

What Is Soil?

Soil is composed of three minerals, and these minerals vary in size.

• Clay: o The smallest particle in soil, it can store water well and contains nutrients plants need. • Sand: o The largest particle in soil, sand allows for quick drainage of both water, and nutrients. • Silt: o The size of silt is between clay and sand, drains poorly, but can retain nutrients better than sand.

An ideal mix of these soil types is about 40% sand, 40% clay, and 20% silt. This combination yields loam, and is what most gardeners aim for, as it is best for plants.

The Mason Jar Test

This test may be conducted with a quart sized mason jar, your soil, dish soap, and water.

1. First, fill your mason jar with soil from around your garden until it is half full. 2. Then, add water to the mason jar, but do not fill to the top, as you must shake the jar. 3. Add about a teaspoon of dish soap. 4. Afterwards, tighten the lid to your mason jar and shake it for at least 3 minutes. 5. Set the jar aside for a week.

Read The Results • Sandy Soil is likely your soil type if your water is fairly clear with sandy particles sinking to the bottom of the jar. o 15% clay, 20% silt, 65% sand = Sandy Loam ▪ Try adding compost to help increase the water retention, as and drains very quickly. • Clay or Silty Soil may be your soil type if your water remains murky with a thin layer of dirt at the bottom. A silty soil type may mirror this result o 30% clay, 60% silt, 10% sand = Silty Clay Loam o 15% clay, 65% silt, 20% sand = Silty Loam ▪ You will need to add 6-8 inches of organic material (grass clippings, rotted manure, compost) over your planting area, then mix it into your soil. • Peaty Soil results when there is a lot of debris floating on the surface of your water, and a thin layer of sediment settles at the bottom. o Since peaty soil cannot retain nutrients very well, you will need to fertilize your plants when needed. • Chalky soil might be your soil type if there is a layer of white, grit-like fragments along the bottom of your jar. o Water and nutrients drain quickly from this soil, so you may add lots of organic material to your soil, and till it in. o Mulching will also help your plants retain moisture. • Loamy soil is the ideal soil type, and can be identified if your jar is clear, with a layer of sediment on the bottom, and fine particles on top. o You need not add any amendments to your soil, other than regular mulching and fertilizing when needed.