Know your soil, drainage and sun
Three questions shape most of the advice in your plan: what the soil feels like, how water moves through it, and how much sun the space gets. You can answer all three with your hands, a shovel and a look around. No tools or lab test needed.
These are field guides, so expect to be close, not exact. If you are unsure, pick "I'm not sure" in My Soil and come back later. A soil lab test or the soil map lookup on My Soil can confirm your guess.
Soil texture: the squeeze and ribbon test
- Scoop a handful of soil from a few inches down, below the surface crust and mulch.
- Wet it a little at a time until it is damp, like a wrung-out sponge.
- Squeeze it in your fist, then open your hand. Does it hold a shape or fall apart?
- Press it between your thumb and finger and push out a ribbon. How long does it get before it breaks?
Sandy
Gritty. Falls apart when you open your hand.
Water drains fast and the soil dries out quickly. It holds few nutrients. Compost and a layer of mulch help it hold more.
Loamy
Soft. Holds a shape, then crumbles when poked.
A mix of sand, silt and clay. It holds water and still drains. Keep it covered and fed to keep it that way.
Clay
Sticky. Forms a long ribbon that holds together.
Holds water and nutrients, but packs down and drains slowly. Avoid walking on it or working it when it is wet.
Silty
Smooth and silky, like flour. Holds a shape but makes only a short ribbon.
Smooth and holds water well, but the surface can seal over after rain. Keep it covered so rain does not crust it.
| Feels | Ribbon | Likely texture |
|---|---|---|
| Gritty, falls apart | None | Sandy |
| Soft, crumbles when poked | Short, breaks easily | Loamy |
| Smooth like flour | Short, dull surface | Silty |
| Sticky, shiny when rubbed | Long, holds together | Clay |
Mixed results are normal. Choose the one that fits best.
Drainage: the hole test
- Dig a hole about a foot deep and wide enough to hold water.
- Fill it with water and let it drain once. This wets the soil around it.
- Fill it again and see how long it takes to empty.
Short on time? After a good rain, look for puddles that last more than a day.
Water soaks in quickly
In the hole test, the water is gone within minutes.
Plants may dry out between waterings. Mulch and added compost slow the loss.
Drains normally
In the hole test, the water is gone within a few hours. Puddles clear by the next day.
What most plants like. Keep doing what you are doing.
Water pools on top
Water is still standing after many hours, or puddles last a day or more.
Roots can run short of air in standing water. Keep off wet soil, add organic matter, and look at the Compaction idea in the plan.
Sun: how many hours does your space get?
- Look at the spot in the morning, around noon, and in the late afternoon.
- Count how many of those times it is in direct sun, with no shadow from a building or tree.
- 3 of 3 is full sun. 1 or 2 is part sun. 0 is shade.
Trees leaf out in summer, so spring sun can be more than summer sun. Your best guess is fine.
Full sun
6 or more hours of direct sun a day.
Suits most vegetables, fruit and sun-loving flowers. Mulch helps the soil hold water in the heat.
Part sun
About 3 to 6 hours of direct sun. Often sunny for half the day.
Leafy greens, herbs and many perennials do well here.
Shade
Under 3 hours of direct sun, or only dappled light.
Choose shade-tolerant plants, and keep the soil covered to protect it.
Then what?
Add your answers to a space in My Soil and the plan will use them. You can change them any time.