Quick guide to soil types

Find your soil type with these five simple steps:

1. Scoop up approximately 25 grams of soil and place it in the palm of your hand. 

2. Start adding drops of water to the soil while kneading it until it breaks down into clumps.

3. Continue adding small amounts of water until the soil has become mouldable – but avoid it getting too wet.

4. Once the soil is mouldable, form it into the shape of a flat ribbon.

5. Follow our ribbon consistency guide to determine your soil type.

• If the soil ribbon feels gritty and immediately breaks when moved in your hands, the soil type is sandy. 

• Sandy soil is not able to hold as much water or preserve as many nutrients as other soil types. 

• Water regularly in lower quantities to keep the soil hydrated without it getting waterlogged.

• Fertilise frequently to maintain nutrient levels.

• If the soil ribbon doesn’t feel gritty but it still breaks easily in your hands, the soil type is silt.

• Silt soil is able to hold more moisture and nutrients than sandy soil, so doesn’t need to be watered or fertilised as often.

• Make sure the soil is dry when planting. If cultivated when wet it can form a hard crust, reducing air flow and making it more challenging for plants to grow roots.

• If the ribbon is difficult to break in your hands and stays in shape, the soil type is clay.

• Clay soil is able to retain water and nutrients for longer periods but takes longer to warm up in spring.

• Water less frequently as clay soil takes longer to drain. 

• Leave longer gaps between fertilising as clay minerals help the soil stay nutrient-rich.