Page 15 - Organic Gardening 3 Part Series

Types of Soil

 Sandy soil drains easily but it dries out quickly in the summer heat. It
contains few nutrients so you will need to fertilize regularly. It is a good soil
for cool season crops because it retains heat in the spring when most
gardens in northern regions are being started.
 Clay is heavy and rich in nutrients. It drains poorly in winter which makes
for a waterlogged garden during the spring thaw. They maintain moisture in

the summer so they're good for warm weather crops.
 Loam is a crumbly soil which combines the best features of sand and clay.

How To Check Your Soil's Drainage

Remember the hole you dug to examine the soil

in your yard? Now it's time for a little experiment
to find out how well it drains. Fill the hole with
water, cover it, and leave it overnight.

If the water is still there the next morning, your
soil is draining poorly. This means you may need
to set up a drainage system or resort to raised
beds. Excess water is deadly for plants, causing
root rot and weakening the plant and making it
susceptible to pests and diseases.