Soil is the loose material on the earth’s surface that supports plant growth. It consists of organic matter and inorganic particles and is the key to a beautiful garden. Soils can be differentiated based on their chemical and physical properties, resulting in six main types: sandy, clay, silt, peat, chalk, and loam. For a vibrant garden, you need to know which type of soil you are working with and the type of crops that grow best there.
Sandy Soil
Known for its coarse and gritty texture, sandy soil is high in sand and low in clay. It is a light, easy-to-cultivate soil that warms and dries up quickly. While its large particles make it a well-draining soil, it is often low in nutrients.
Some crops that do well in sandy soil include tomatoes, tulips, hibiscus, and sun roses; herbs such as oregano, lavender, and rosemary; and succulents such as cactus. If you are working with sandy soil, consider mulching and adding organic matter to boost the nutrient content and water retention.
Clay Soil
Clay soils have the smallest particles. Despite being rich in nutrients, they are sticky and dense when wet and do not drain or aerate well. Plant roots may not penetrate the soil with some rotting due to the high amount of water.
For your garden, look for plants with shallow fibrous roots or a robust root system that can penetrate the clay soil. Examples include vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower, and shrubs such as aster and flowering quince. Otherwise, consider adding sand and organic matter to improve drainage and aeration.
Silty Soil
Silty soils drain better than clay soil and retain more water than sandy soil. They have a high fertility rating and can easily support vegetables such as onions and lettuce, perennials, climbing plants, and trees such as willow and birch. Silt soils are, however, easily compacted making them difficult to cultivate when dry. In addition, such soils may be prone to soil erosion, but this can be solved by planting cover crops and installing proper drainage systems.
Peat
Peat is a rare soil type composed of a high amount of decaying plant matter, a property that makes it highly acidic. It is also spongy and does not compact easily.
Peaty soils are fertile, retain water well, and have good aeration. They are excellent for plants such as blueberries and salad crops which thrive in acidic conditions. Brassicas, legumes, root crops, grass crops, and shrubs such as azalea also do well in peaty soils. If you want to plant other types of crops, consider adding lime and compost to raise the pH levels.
Chalk
Chalky soils are rich in calcium carbonate which makes them alkaline. They can be light or heavy, with larger grains in the soil making it free draining. This coupled with a high pH makes the soil prone to nutrient deficiencies.
Spinach, cabbage, beets, and flowers, such as lilacs and wallflowers, thrive in chalky soils. Climbing plants such as grapevine, jasmine, and clematis also do well in chalky soils. Using organic matter or fertilizers can help adjust the pH levels to promote the growth of other plants that do not tolerate alkaline conditions.
Loam Soil
Loam is a mixture of other soil types, usually clay, sand, and silt. Its particles are perfectly sized, allowing the free flow of air and water. Loam soils are also rich in organic matter and can support a variety of plants.
From vegetables and root crops to annual and perennial flowers and fruit trees, it is easy to see why loam is considered the ideal soil type for gardening. Regularly adding mulch, organic matter, and fertilizers ensures that loam soil remains fertile enough to support a healthy garden.
Contact Nick’s for all Your Gardening Needs
Knowing the different soil types is an important step in your gardening journey. To make the most out of your gardening, Nick’s Garden can help you find the right bagged soil for your container or soil amendment. We also offer bulk soil for those bigger projects if you are looking to get your garden started from scratch! Visit our garden center to see and shop our selection of garden products or contact us for more expert tips.
