Starting a garden or improving your gardening skills means you need to understand one of the most basic parts of growing plants: soil types. Plants need the right kind of soil to grow well just like fish need water to live. The ground under our feet isn't the same everywhere; it's made up of many different types, and each type helps different plants grow.
Whether you want to attract more wildlife to your garden or simply have a space that’s pleasing to the eye, we’ll look into the different soil types and which plants work best with different types of soil.
What is soil made of?
Soil forms the base of our gardens and ecosystems. It consists of a complex mix full of life and various materials. The core of soil includes inorganic mineral particles of different sizes. These particles determine its texture: sand (large) silt (medium), and clay (small).
Organic matter from broken-down plant and animal remains adds nutrients to the soil to help plants grow. Soil also houses many organisms, from tiny bacteria and fungi to visible earthworms and bugs. All these creatures play key roles in keeping the soil healthy and fertile. Also, soil has air and water in its pores, which plant roots need to breathe and absorb nutrients.
What are the different types of soil for gardening?
Cultivating a wildlife-friendly garden begins with understanding the foundation - the soil. Different soil types have unique traits that directly impact plant growth and health. By identifying your garden's soil composition, you can make informed decisions about which plants will thrive in your outdoor space.
The primary soil types include:
- Sandy soil: Coarse and gritty in texture, sandy soil drains quickly but lacks moisture and nutrient retention
- Clay soil: Dense and heavy, clay soil retains moisture well but can become waterlogged and compacted
- Loamy soil: A balanced blend of sand, silt, and clay, loamy soil offers excellent drainage and nutrient-holding capacity, ideal for most plants
- Chalky soil: Alkaline and often nutrient-deficient, chalky soil is derived from calcium-rich rocks
- Peaty soil: Rich in organic matter, peaty soil is acidic and retains moisture well but may lack essential nutrients
- Silty soil: Fine-textured and smooth, silty soil is fertile but prone to compaction and drainage issues
By understanding the unique properties of your soil type, you can select plants suited to those conditions or amend the soil as needed, ensuring a vibrant and productive garden.
What type of soil does my garden have?
One simple way to assess your soil type is by performing the jar test. Fill a jar with soil and water, shake it up, and let it settle. The layers that form indicate the proportions of sand, silt, and clay.
Other factors to consider are drainage (how quickly water is absorbed), texture (how the soil feels), and pH level. Well-draining yet moisture-retentive soil with a slightly acidic pH around 6.5 is ideal for most plants. pH metres are super easy to get hold of if you’re curious about how your soil fairs on the scale.
For a more comprehensive analysis, consider having your soil professionally tested by your local agricultural extension office or a reputable testing lab. This can identify nutrient deficiencies and provide amendment recommendations.
1. Silty Soil
Silty soil has a fine texture and is composed primarily of silt particles. It is loose and prone to compaction, especially when wet. Silty soil's best properties include good water-holding capacity and fertility. However, it can become compacted easily, reducing aeration and drainage. Silty soils also tend to be more alkaline, so you’ll need to consider your plant choices carefully.
Silty soil is well-suited for:
- Root vegetables (like potatoes and carrots)
- Corn
- Beans
- Lettuce
- Cardinal flowers
- Ferns
Silty soil is also great for the growth of sunflowers - which are known to attract birds to your garden. If you’re a keen birdwatcher or simply want to enjoy the wildlife visiting your flourishing garden, consider a bird box to give them a home to nest in.
2. Sandy Soil
Sandy soil has a gritty, loose texture that allows for excellent drainage. While this rapid water permeability is beneficial for preventing waterlogging, it also means that sandy soils dry out quickly and have poor nutrient retention. This can make it challenging to maintain consistent moisture and fertility levels for plant growth.
Despite these drawbacks, many plants thrive in sandy conditions. Succulents like hens and chicks are well-adapted to the fast-draining nature of sandy soil:
- Lavender
- Ornamental grasses
- Coreopsis
- Butterfly bushes
- Blanket flowers
- Black-eyed Susans
3. Clay Soil
Clay soil is dense and compacted, making it slow to drain after rain or watering. This waterlogged quality can drown plant roots and prevent air from circulating, leading to poor growth. However, clay soil also has its advantages - it is nutrient-rich and retains moisture well during dry spells.
Plants that thrive in clay soil tend to be larger, woody species with robust root systems that can penetrate the dense earth. Excellent choices include:
- Bushes like hydrangeas, azaleas, and forsythia
- Shrubs such as hollies, viburnums, and sumacs
- Trees like oaks, maples, and redbuds
- Vining plants such as wisteria, trumpet vine, and climbing roses
4. Loamy Soil
Loamy soil is often referred to as a gardener's best friend, offering an ideal balance of sand, silt, and clay particles. This combination results in a soil texture that retains moisture well while still allowing for proper drainage and aeration. Loam soil is a gardener's best friend, offering most plants the perfect balance of water retention, aeration, and nutrient availability.
The pros of loamy soil include excellent nutrient retention, good drainage, and a crumbly texture that supports root growth. The cons are relatively minor, such as the potential for compaction if overworked. Loamy soil is ideal for growing a wide variety of plants, including most vegetables, herbs, and flowers that thrive in nutrient-rich, well-draining conditions.
5. Chalky Soil
Chalky or limestone soils have a high alkaline content, as indicated by their typical pH range of 7.5 to 8.3. While these free-draining soils are low in nutrients, they offer some advantages for plant growth. Chalky soils are alkaline, porous, and dry out quickly and while they’re generally nutrient-deficient, they’re high in calcium carbonate.
They have good drainage properties that prevent water-logging and their alkaline conditions deter clubroot disease in brassicas. Its calcium content benefits plants like:
- Fruit trees
- Lavender
- Rosemary
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
6. Peaty Soil
Peaty soil, also known as peat soil or histosol, is a type of soil that is rich in organic matter derived from decayed plant material. It is characterised by its high acidity and water-holding capacity. Peaty soils are commonly found in wetlands, bogs, and other areas with poor drainage.
It provides an ideal environment for acid-loving plants and its high organic matter content helps retain moisture, which benefits plants during dry periods. Plus, peaty soils are well-aerated, promoting healthy root growth. However, due to the lack of essential nutrients, peaty soils may require supplemental fertilisation to support plant growth. The high acidity can also be problematic for plants that prefer neutral or alkaline conditions. Proper drainage is crucial, as peaty soils can become waterlogged if not managed correctly.
Some of the best plants for peaty soil are:
- Azaleas
- Blueberries
- Ferns
- Rhododendrons
- Lantern trees
- Witch Hazel
Improving Your Soil
Improving your soil is crucial for creating an optimal environment for your plants to grow. Focus on enhancing soil texture and pH according to your specific soil type. For sandy soils, incorporate organic materials such as compost or peat moss to boost water retention. Clay soils can be improved with gypsum to enhance drainage and aeration, while organic mulches like wood chips or shredded leaves can gradually improve soil structure.
Adjusting the soil pH is also vital. Most plants thrive in slightly acidic conditions, ideally between 6.0 and 7.0 pH. To lower pH in alkaline soils, use elemental sulphur or aluminium sulfate. If your soil is too acidic, ground agricultural limestone can help raise the pH. Conducting regular soil tests with a soil meter every few years will help identify nutrient deficiencies, allowing you to apply the right fertilisers.
Once you identify whether your soil is sandy, clay, loamy, chalky, peaty, or silty, you can make better decisions about suitable plants. Don’t hesitate to amend the soil by adding compost, adjusting pH, or enhancing drainage and aeration. With the right plant selection and care, your garden can thrive and attract all kinds of wonderful wildlife!
Discover our bird box cameras so you can watch your feathery friends thrive from the comfort of your own home. Be sure to read our blog for more wildlife, gardening, bird and hedgehog tips.
