Soil Texture

Different Types of SoilsSand

Silt

Clay

Sand

Sand has the largest size particles. They range in size from 0.05mm to 2.0 mm in diameter.

Sand feels very gritty.Sand has a tendency to not hold water as well and dry out quickly.

Silt

Silt is middle sized particles.The diameter of silt is about 0.002mm to 0.05mm.

The silt feels less gritty and will form a ribbon about less than 2 inches long.

Silt can hold water.

Clay

Clay is the smallest sized particle.Clay’s diameter is 0.002mm or smaller.

Clay feels very smooth.Clay can form a ribbon that will be 2 inches or longer.

Clay gives soil the ability to hold water and takes longer to dry out.

The soil triangle

Different Soil TexturesClaySandy ClaySilty ClaySandy Clay Loam

SandLoamy SandSandy Loam

Silty Clay Loam

LoamSilt LoamSilt

What Does it Mean?

The percent of sand, silt and clay represents what the soil is going to be.

Soil consists of 25% Air, 45% Minerals, 25% Water, 5% Organic Matter

What affects this is compaction of the soil.

Example

The soil has 5% Clay, 70% Silt and 25% Sand

What is the Soil?

Look at the Soil Triangle

Answer

Clay Loam