Types of Soil

Soil is an interesting mix. It contains tiny rock pieces, air, water and something special known as humus. Humus is a bit like compost. It comes from the remains of dead plants and animals enriching the soil with nutrients needed by plants and tiny creatures living in the soil. But soil is not all the same. It has three main types of tiny rock particles. Sand, silt and clay. The amount of sand, silt and clay in soil determines how much air and water the soil can hold. Let's talk about sand first. These are the largest particles. If soil has a lot of sand, water goes right through it like it's rushing through a sieve. Silt particles are smaller than sand but bigger than clay. In soil with lots of silt, there is less space for air and it holds more water than sandy soil. Think of it like a sponge that soaks up and keeps water better than a sieve. Clay particles are the smallest of all. In soil with lots of clay, the tiny particles pack closely together leaving little space for air. Water also drains slowly through clay heavy soil much like how water struggles to pass through thick dough. Understanding the types of soil helps us know where different plants will grow best. Don't forget to subscribe!