Soil Types Explained

What Are the Different Types of Soil?

In our opinion it is far better to have a garden full of plants that will establish and thrive to their full potential rather than a group of plants that simply survive and give an average show.

Identifying and understanding your soil type will help you to find the best plants for your garden.

Clay Soils

• High in nutrients
• Heavy, wet and cold during the winter months
• Hard and dry during the summer
• Hold water and drain slowly
• Easily compacted and can suffer drainage problems

Sandy Soils

• Low in nutrients
• Light, dry and warm
• Often very acidic
• Dries out quickly and requires a lot of watering

Chalky or Lime-rich Soils

• Can be light or heavy
• May contain lumps of chalk or limestone
• Often very alkaline
• Contain calcium carbonate or lime

Silt Soils

• Fertile
• Light and retain moisture
• Easily compacted
• Well drained

Loams

• Mixtures of clay, sand and silt soils that avoid the extremes of each type
• Fertile
• Well drained
• Easily worked

Peat Soils

• High in organic matter
• Holds moisture
• Very fertile