Soil Texture Classes (Reference)

What soil texture is

Soil texture describes the relative proportion of: - Sand - Silt - Clay

Texture strongly influences water, air, and nutrient behaviour.

Common texture classes

Sand

• Very low WHC
• Rapid drainage
• Low nutrient retention
• High leaching risk

Loamy sand

• Slightly improved WHC
• Still free draining
• Limited buffering

Sandy loam

• Balanced drainage and WHC
• Easy root penetration
• Common horticultural soil

Loam

• Optimal balance of water, air, and nutrients
• High biological activity
• Versatile and resilient

Silt loam

• High WHC
• Poor structure when compacted
• Surface crusting risk

Clay loam

• High WHC
• Slow drainage
• High nutrient buffering

Clay

• Very high WHC
• Poor drainage
• High compaction and oxygen stress risk

Agronomic note

Texture sets the baseline behaviour — management determines success.