What type of soil do I have?

Knowing your soil type is essential for successful farming and gardening. Understanding soil types helps farmers and gardeners to select the right crops for their soil, improve soil fertility, and manage water resources. By knowing what soil type you have, you’ll be able to condition your existing soil to make it easier to work with and select the right plants for your garden. Soil provides your plants with the vital nutrients, water and air they require for healthy growth and development. It allows you to adapt your growing techniques to the soil, add the correct soil amendments or fertiliser, and choose plants that are suited to your soil type.

Follow these easy steps and get growing!

Grab a handful of soil and if required, mix with a little bit of water.

Will the soil form a ball shape?
NO: You may have sandy soil

Will the soil form a sausage shape?
NO: You may have loamy sand soil

If the soil has formed a sausage shape, how long is it and how does it feel? See the chart below:

You can ask the garden owner or farmer to check if you’re right.