Topic 2.2 — Soil components & DIY soil testing
DIY soil texture testing
Soil texture describes the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay in soil and is one of its most important physical properties. Now it's your turn to explore it yourself. Grab a hand shovel or spoon, and take a stroll outside.
You can classify your soil based on observations of grittiness and ribbon length:
| Very gritty | Intermediate | Very smooth | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No ribbon | sand / loamy sand | — | — |
| < 2.5 cm ribbon | sandy loam | loam | silt loam |
| 2.5 – 5 cm ribbon | sandy clay loam | clay loam | silty clay loam |
| > 5 cm ribbon | sandy clay | clay | silty clay |
If you prefer written instructions, see the WRB flow chart, the FAO ring method poster, or the cultivate-to-plate flow chart.
Explore more at Iowa State University's soil texture chapter.