The Gardener’s Guide to Soil Types and Plant Success

Access to soil is a good start when wanting to plant seeds, nurture plants, and have a healthy, productive garden. But, it isn’t always as simple as just plating any old plant in any old soil.

Soil in general is made up of different components- decomposed plant and animal matter, particles of rock, and a number of different minerals. As well, there is a host of microorganisms and other critters that keep the soil alive and healthy.

It only takes noticing the bright orange clay soil in one area of the land and the crumbly black soil of another to know that not all soil is the same.

Any gardener knows that different plants have different requirements regarding light, water, fertilization, pruning, and often soil type. Sure, some plants aren’t too fussy and can thrive within a number of different variables, but some plants require certain soil conditions.

Whether it’s to do with the composition or texture of the soil or its pH balance (which are often related), some plants really are picky about what they want to grow in.

For this reason, it is worth doing a little investigation into the type of soil you have on hand, and how, if needed, you can amend it.

The Three Main Components of Soil

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Soil is mostly made up of three components- sand, clay, and silt. Different soils might be heavier in one component over the other which dictates the texture and the properties of the soil.

Different balances of these three components can provide advantages or disadvantages to various plants.

• Sandy Soil

Sandy soil is made up of larger particles of rock making for a much lighter, less compact soil. It is gritty to the touch. Sandy soil drains water well but is also less likely to hold onto minerals and nutrients as they are more easily washed away.

The light and airy composition of sandy soil makes it much easier to dig and work with in general. It warms up much more readily in the spring meaning you can get to work a little earlier. However, it is also more apt to dry out during the hot summer months.

Root veggies enjoy growing in sandier soil as they don’t have to work as hard to mine down as they would in dense clay soil. That said, nutrient-hungry plants such as brassicas won’t thrive in such nutrient-deficient soil.

• Clay Soil

Clay soil is made up of very fine particles that make it dense and heavy. Clay soil takes longer to absorb water and can get easily waterlogged when it does. In contrast, it can bake in the sun and become unworkable. All that said, clay soil tends to hold onto nutrients well.

Clay soil takes longer to warm up in the spring and is much harder to work with. However, if you can get it to a manageable state, nutrient-hungry plants such as brassicas and other greens will thrive.

• Silty Soil

Like sandy soil, silty soil is much easier to work with and like clay soil, holds nutrients well. Rather than feeling gritty, silty soil has a much smoother, flour-like texture.

Silty soil holds the best properties of both sandy and clay soil but has the disadvantage of crusting rather easily in hot weather and becoming compact.

Due to adequate drainage and how well it holds nutrients, most veggies do quite well in silty soil.

• Loamy Soil

Loam is a balance between the three components. This is an excellent growing medium as it is well draining whilst holding adequate moisture. It also holds on to nutrients well and is easily workable.

pH Balance of Your Soil

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Another thing to be aware of is the pH balance of your soil. Certain plants enjoy more alkaline or more acidic soils. Blueberries, for example, need acidic soil while brassicas prefer things on the alkaline side of things.

The pH balance is something that you can amend yourself by adding lime to make the soil more alkaline or pine straw and other acidifiers to make it more acidic.

Sandy soils tend to be on the more acidic side whilst clay soils are more likely to be alkaline. This is not completely cut and dry, so testing your soil with a simple pH testing kit will give you a more accurate assessment.

Amending Your Soil

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The best way to amend the soil, making it suitable for general veggie gardening, is to add lots of organic matter. By doing this, soil can be made more workable, well-draining whilst holding enough moisture, and sufficiently nutrient-rich. Organic matter can come in the form of leaf mold or well-rotted compost.

Adding organic matter to sandy soil acts as a glue to help bind the particles together and to help it hold moisture and nutrients better. Adding it to clay soils adds air that allows the soil to drain better.

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