What Is Your Site’s Soil Type?

Soil type affects which native plants will thrive on your site. If you’re unsure, try this: Take a handful of moist soil and squeeze it. If it forms a sticky ball, it’s likely clay. If it feels gritty and falls apart, it’s sand or gravel. A smooth, crumbly texture usually means loam. Dark, spongy soil may be peat, while calcareous soils often have white chalky bits or sit over limestone. Choose the option that best matches your site.

Clay This soil type is high in minerals and silt; a densely packed soil type that can hold moisture for long periods of time. If squeezed in your hand it will retain its form when you set it down. Loam Most common soil in yards or meadows. This soil type is a blend of all three soil types (sand, silt, and clay) at nearly equal ratios, however clay may be the smallest portion. Organic biomass is normal. Sand/Gravel This soil type is well-drained, with generally low moisture levels and nutrient levels. Calcareous Rock This soil type is often associated with limestone and has high PH. Minerals can be rich but also inaccessible by native species due to the soil structure. Gravel is often strongly present. Peat This soil type is incredibly high in dead and decomposing organic matter. This large decaying mass often lays beneath a level of permanent saturation. Often peatlands can be very acidic.