Soil is a thin layer of material on the Earth’s surface on which living beings survive and plants have their roots. It is made up of many things, such as weathered rock and decayed plant and animal matter. Soil is formed over a long period of time. Depending on the size of particles in the soil, it can be categorized into these following types:
Sandy
It is composed of very large particles. This soil is formed by the disintegration and weathering of rocks such as limestone, granite, quartz and shale. Sandy soil is granular and consists of rock and mineral particles that are very small. Sandy soil allows drainage more than is needed, thus resulting in over-drainage and dehydration of the plants. Sandy soil retains a certain amount of moisture and nutrients. In a way sandy soil is good for plants since it lets the water drain easily, so that it prevents root rot problems. Because of its composition, the use of sand extends to the building construction. Sand is a major component in concrete when it is mixed in with the cement. Other uses of sand involve glass and silicon chip manufacturing.
Silt
It is considered to be one of the most fertile of soils. It is composed of minerals like quartz and fine organic particles. It has more nutrients than sandy soil and offers better drainage. This type of soil can hold more moisture.
Clay
Clay consists of very fine grain material with very less air spaces. Clay soil is formed after years of rock disintegration and weathering. It is also formed as sedimentary deposits after the rock is weathered, eroded and transported. Clay soil due to its formation process is rich in mineral content. Clay is typically used to build pottery.
Loam
This type of soil is a mixture of sand, silt and clay. It is considered to be the perfect soil for gardening and tree planting purposes as it is able to retain moisture enough for the nutrients to be extracted by the roots and it is able to provide proper drainage enough to prevent root rot.
Peat
They are composed of some granular material that may be similar in size to the granules of sand and clay. These granules are typically composed of quartz and feldspar. Peat is usually found in areas near bogs and other marsh lands where trees are scarce. In areas where trees are scarce, peat is used in cooking and other forms of heating instead of firewood.
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