Grow & Garden Digging Deep

By Evelyn Long

Most of us pay attention to what we eat— how it was sourced, who grew it and whether it is organic. However, even with all this care, we sometimes forget to think about the very ground our food grows in. I didn’ t always consider it either, at least not until I started digging in my own garden.

The Different Types of Soil

Soil is classified based on how well the particles adhere to one another. Understanding the different classifications can help you grow healthier plants.

Clay Soil

If you’ ve ever dug into clay soil, you know those packed-together particles almost feel similar to cement. Water doesn’ t easily soak in, and sometimes I’ ve run into trouble getting plant roots to push through. However, it retains nutrients and moisture effectively while still allowing adequate air flow and drainage.

It’ s best to grow plants in clay soil during the hotter months or if you have a well-draining system in place.

AcreageLife. com

Amending with several inches of compost, well-rotted manure or leaf mold is the ideal way to boost its properties.

Sandy Soil

Sandy soil warms up and drains quickly in the spring and cools fast in the fall. It can be light to golden brown and have a grainy texture, resembling desert sand. You may also find rock particles and organic matter. Compared to other soil types, it’ s less effective in holding water and nutrients, leaving plants thirsty and unfed.

To prepare it for spring, add generous amounts of compost, aged manure and peat moss to hold onto moisture and nutrients.

Silty Soil

Gardeners with silty soil have the best of both worlds— it’ s fertile, well-draining and retains moisture well. It looks light brown, and if you dig in, you’ ll spot rock particles and organic materials. However, like anything in the garden, it has its quirks. It can wash away quickly in heavy rain or on windy days.

One trick that has worked for me is planting different plants close together, allowing their roots to hold the

February 2026 AcreageLife 17