two tests to determine soil composition through texture

Soil factors influence which plants will grow where. Changing what type of care you give your plants will give you a healthy garden. Soil texture determines it's composition. Besides rocks bugs and roots, soil is made of clay, silt, & sand.

METHOD 1: 1 day prep with results on day 2

Tools:
Soil, newspaper, water, plastic food container

Prep:
1 day in advance, water soil thoroughly and allow to drain.

Lab Steps:
1. Grab a handful of moist soil and roll it into a ball.

Record results:
Determine soil type based on lab.
-clay based soil is tacky to the touch and holds together tightly.
-Silt based soil holds together loosely and may feel soft, like a riverbed.
-Sandy based soil will not stick together well and feels sharp or gritty.

METHOD 2: 5 steps, 1 day prep, results in 2 days

Tools:

small amount of dish soap, large jar with lid, water, soil, newspaper

Lab Steps:

1. Spread newspaper to protect your lab surface.

2. Fill a clear large jar 2/3 full with water.

3. Add a small squirt of dish soap

4. Fill remaining space with dirt.

5. Shake well and allow to settle for 2 days

Record results:

The dirt will separate into 3 layers. Viewed from top to bottom or lightest to heaviest; clay, silt, or sand. Naturally, the largest layer is what your soil is mostly made of.

Here is an example of what clay based soil would look like:

Assess space

1 Size & room for plants to mature

2 Sunlight & shadow in area garden is placed

3 Water source, rain, time spent

4 Soil assessment of natural moisture & retention, texture, & pH

5 Weather, Climate, & Landscape (indoor vs outdoor)

6 Pests