Types of Soil
Types of Soil & Their Uses
Soil is a complex system of organic and inorganic matter that directly and indirectly supports plant and animal life. It is comprised of minerals, nutrients, water, microorganisms and decomposed living matter that provide the essential elements required to sustain growth. The soils of different geographical areas differ in chemical makeup, structure, pH value, texture and color. Soil makes the basis of the ecosystem and performs functions essential for the survival of living matter.
Clay Soil
Clay soils contain high levels of nutrients and minerals and support a variety of plant life if drained adequately. These soils are silky-smooth to the touch and finely grained. Wet clay soils are pliable, lumpy and sticky but they dry to form hardened clots. These soils are often difficult to work with and prone to water logging. Clay soil is used to grow roses, bergamots, compassplant, partridge pea, prairie dock, purple coneflower and rattlesnake master. Grasses that prefer heavy clay soils include Indiangrass, switchgrass and big bluestem.
Clay soil is also used extensively in the construction industry. Clay can be fired or dried in the sun to make bricks, which are then assembled to form different structures. Clay, combined with straw and sand makes cob. Cob is a construction material which is used to make buildings, ovens and benches. Clay soil is also used to make wall, floor and counter top ceramic tiles.
Loamy Soil
Loamy soil combines silt, sand and clay in a 40:40:20 ratio. It's rich in organic matter, nutrients and drains well. Loamy soil is ideal for plant cultivation and is commonly used to grow flowers, small garden fruit and a variety of vegetables. Tomato plants, lambs quarters, chickweed, bear's breeches, cardinal flowers, feverfew and geraniums prefer loose, loamy soil. Loam, in combination with straw, is also used in wall construction and applied on the inner surface of walls to control
Soil is a complex system of organic and inorganic matter that directly and indirectly supports plant and animal life. It is comprised of minerals, nutrients, water, microorganisms and decomposed living matter that provide the essential elements required to sustain growth. The soils of different geographical areas differ in chemical makeup, structure, pH value, texture and color. Soil makes the basis of the ecosystem and performs functions essential for the survival of living matter.
Clay Soil
Clay soils contain high levels of nutrients and minerals and support a variety of plant life if drained adequately. These soils are silky-smooth to the touch and finely grained. Wet clay soils are pliable, lumpy and sticky but they dry to form hardened clots. These soils are often difficult to work with and prone to water logging. Clay soil is used to grow roses, bergamots, compassplant, partridge pea, prairie dock, purple coneflower and rattlesnake master. Grasses that prefer heavy clay soils include Indiangrass, switchgrass and big bluestem.
Clay soil is also used extensively in the construction industry. Clay can be fired or dried in the sun to make bricks, which are then assembled to form different structures. Clay, combined with straw and sand makes cob. Cob is a construction material which is used to make buildings, ovens and benches. Clay soil is also used to make wall, floor and counter top ceramic tiles.
Loamy Soil
Loamy soil combines silt, sand and clay in a 40:40:20 ratio. It's rich in organic matter, nutrients and drains well. Loamy soil is ideal for plant cultivation and is commonly used to grow flowers, small garden fruit and a variety of vegetables. Tomato plants, lambs quarters, chickweed, bear's breeches, cardinal flowers, feverfew and geraniums prefer loose, loamy soil. Loam, in combination with straw, is also used in wall construction and applied on the inner surface of walls to control