Types Of Soil

Introduction

Typically, in hierarchical soil classification systems, soil types are found at the higher or intermediate levels of the classification system. The subtypes of a soil type are typically further differentiated, and in many systems, numerous soil types can be joined to form entities of a higher category. According to Whitney (1909), the soil type was the lowest level of categorization and the mapping unit in the first classification system in the United States.

The description of soil types is based mostly on properties that are the consequence of soil-forming processes, according to various classification systems (pedogenesis). The German soil systematics, for example, is a good example. Other systems incorporate traits derived from soil-forming processes as well as characteristics inherited from the source material to generate hybrid systems. Examples include the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) and the United States Department of Agriculture’s soil taxonomy. There are other approaches that do not inquire as to whether or not the qualities are a result of soil formation. The Australian Soil Classification System is one such example.

The Six Different Types of Soil

1. Clay Soil

When wet, clay soil feels lumpy and sticky, and when dried, it becomes rock hard. Clay soil drains poorly and has little air gaps, making it a poor choice for gardening. The soil will warm up slowly in the spring, and cultivating it will be difficult. It is important to improve the drainage of the soil in order for plants to develop and thrive properly, as clay soil can be rich in nutrients.

Excellent for: Flowers such as Helen’s Flower, Aster, Bergamot, and Flowering Quince grow well in this soil. Because of the chilly, compact character of clay soil, it can be difficult to cultivate early vegetable crops and soft berry harvests, among other things. Summer crop vegetables, on the other hand, can be extremely productive and vigorous plants. Clay soils are ideal for growing fruit trees, ornamental trees, and bushes.

2. Sandy Soil

Sandy soil has a gritty texture. Because it drains well, dries out quickly, and cultivates easily, it is a popular crop. Sandy soil heats up quickly in the spring and tends to contain less nutrients because these are frequently washed away during rainy spells, making them less productive. Soils that are sandy require organic additives such as glacial rock dust, greensand, kelp meal, or other organic fertiliser blends to improve their fertility. Mulching is also beneficial since it helps to retain moisture.

Excellent for: Tulips, Tree mallow, Sun roses, and Hibiscus, among other shrubs and bulbs. Carrots, parsnips, and potatoes are among the root crops that thrive in sandy soils, according to the USDA. In sandy soils, lettuce, strawberries, peppers, corn, squash, zucchini, collard greens, and tomatoes are all commercially cultivated crops, as are corn and soybeans.

3. Silty Soil

Silty soil has a soft, soapy feel to it, retains moisture, and is typically very rich in nutrients. Compacting the soil is simple because the earth is easily cultivated and compacted with minimal effort. If drainage is given and managed properly, this is an excellent soil for your garden. It is common for composted organic matter to be mixed in with the soil to improve drainage and structure while also supplying nutrients.

Excellent for: Shrubs, climbers, grasses, and perennials such as Mahonia and New Zealand flax grow well in this soil. Willow, birch, dogwood, and cypress are examples of trees that thrive in silty soils because they love the moisture. Generally speaking, most vegetable and fruit crops do well in silty soils with appropriate drainage.

4. Peaty Soil

Because of the high quantities of peat in peaty soil, it is a darker soil that feels damp and spongy to the touch. It is an acidic soil, which means that breakdown is slowed and the soil has fewer nutrients as a result. During the spring, the soil heats up quickly and can retain a significant amount of water, necessitating the need for drainage. For soils with a high peat content, it may be necessary to dig drainage channels. When combined with organic matter rich in organic matter, compost, and lime to lower acidity, peat soil can be a fantastic growing medium. If you have acidic soil, you can apply soil additives such as glacial rock dust to raise the pH of the soil.

Excellent for: Plants that thrive in this area include: Heather, Lantern Trees, Witch Hazel, Camellia, and Rhododendrons. Brassicas, legumes, root crops, and salad crops thrive on well-drained peaty soils, as do other vegetable crops such as lettuce.

5. Chalky Soil

Chalky soil has a coarser texture and is often stonier in nature when compared to other types of soil. It is a free-draining soil that commonly lies on top of chalk or limestone bedrock. The soil is naturally alkaline, which might result in stunted growth and yellowish leaves on occasion; however, this can be remedied by adding suitable fertilisers and balancing the pH of the soil. It is recommended that you add humus to your soil to promote water retention and workability.

Excellent for: Lilacs, Weigelas, Madonna lilies, Pinks, and Mock Oranges, among other trees, bulbs, and shrubs. Plants that thrive in chalky soils include spinach, beets, sweet corn, and cabbage, to name a few.

6. Loamy Soil

Loamy soil, which is composed of a reasonably even mixture of sand, silt, and clay, has a fine texture and feels slightly wet. It has the features that are great for gardening, lawns, and shrubbery. In addition to having excellent structure and drainage, loamy soil is also moisture retaining, rich in nutrients, and easy to cultivate. It warms up rapidly in the spring and does not dry out quickly in the summer. Organic matter must be added to loamy soils on a regular basis, as they tend to be acidic in nature.

Excellent for: Climbers, bamboos, perennials, shrubs, and tubers such as Wisteria, Dog’s-tooth violets, Black Bamboo, Rubus, and Delphinium thrive in this environment. The majority of vegetable and berry crops will thrive in loamy soil, which is one of the most productive soil types available. Although loamy soil is resilient, it requires careful management to avoid depletion and drying out. It is critical to maintain soil vitality by rotating crops, planting green manure crops, applying mulches, and adding compost and organic fertilisers.

Simple test to Determine Your Soil Type

The water test

Water should be poured onto your soil. A sandy or gravelly soil is more likely to drain rapidly, whereas clay soils will take longer for water to sink in and therefore require more time to drain.

Test by squeezing

Take a handful of soil and gently compress it in the palm of your hand.

This type of dirt is sticky and smooth to the touch, and it retains its integrity and shape even after being pushed or yanked.

If the earth feels spongy, it is peaty; if the dirt feels gritty, it is sandy soil, which will crumble apart.

For a short length of time, loamy and silty soils will have a smooth texture and will keep their shape better than other soil types.  

Settle test

Set aside for 12 hours a scoop of soil in a clear container and fill it with water. Shake vigorously before discarding the container.

Clay and silty soils will result in hazy water with a layer of particles at the bottom of the reservoir.

Sandy soils will leave the water mostly clear, and the majority of the particles will fall to the bottom of the container, leaving a layer at the bottom of the container’s base.

There will be many particles floating on the surface of peaty soils, and the water will be slightly hazy at the bottom, with a thin layer of peat at the bottom.

Chalky soils will leave a coating of whitish, grit-like pieces on the bottom of the container, and the water will be a pale grey colour due to the presence of calcium carbonate.

A loamy soil is most likely to be found in water that is relatively clear and has a layer of particles on the bottom of the container, with the finest particles at the top.

Soil test kit

Use a soil test kit to determine the levels of primary nutrients (N, P, and K) as well as the pH of the soil. Tests on your soil allow you to establish the exact condition of your soil, allowing you to fertilise more effectively and efficiently. Testing of the soil should be done on a regular basis during the growth season.

Conclusion

A diverse range of soils is utilised, with a growing share of marginal soils in the mix as well. To ensure high sustained production for economic viability and to maintain or improve soil fertility, it is critical that good soil management practises are adopted on a large scale. Soils provide our food-producing plants with the critical nutrients, water, oxygen, and root support that they require in order to develop and thrive. They also act as a temperature buffer, shielding delicate plant roots from the effects of sudden temperature changes.