1. Soil Texture

2. Soil texture
Soil texture, which refers to the relative proportion of mineral particles of various sizes in soil, is among the most important soil characteristics. Texture influences water-holding capacity, drainage, aeration, organic matter content and other properties. A common soil science and agricultural tool, the soil texture triangle uses the percentages of sand, silt and clay in the soil to assign it to one of 12 textural classes. Properly classifying the soil in your yard or garden helps you describe the soil scientifically, predict potential problems and determine whether a certain plant is likely to thrive or struggle in a site.

4. Clay
Clay particles are flat, plate-like, negatively charged particles. They are so tiny in size that it takes 12,000 clay particles in a line to make one inch. Clay feels sticky to the touch. Soils with as little as 20% clay size particles behave like a sticky clayey soil. Soils with high clay content have good water and nutrient holding capacity, but the lack of large pore space restricts water and air movement. Clayey soils are also rather prone to compaction issues.

5. Clay

6. Silt
Silt has a smooth or floury texture. Silt settles out in slow moving water and is common on the bottom of an irrigation ditch or lakeshore. Silt adds little to the characteristics of a soil. Its water holding capacity is similar to clay.

7. Silt

8. Sand
Sand – Sand, being the larger sized particles, feels gritty. There is a major difference in soil characteristics between fine sands and medium to coarse sands. Fine sands add little to the soil characteristic and do not significantly increase large pore space. For a soil to take on the characteristics of a sandy soil it needs greater than 50-60% medium to coarse size sand particles. Sandy soils have good drainage and aeration, but low water and nutrient holding capacity.

9. Sand

10. Sandy soil

11. Gravel and rock
Gravel and rock do not provide nutrients or water holding capacity for the soil. Rather they often drain readily, being a droughty soil with low nutrient holding capacity.

12. Soil Classification

14. Loamy soil