Amending your soil before you start your in-ground garden will likely be a necessary first step. To get started, research and test your soil’s needs more thoroughly with a soil ph. testing kit to determine what type of soil you have and its nutrient levels. There are six common soil types and some soils will be better for fruits and vegetables than others. Most naturally derived soils will contain a mixture of a few types of soils.

Clay soil tends to be very hard when dry and very mushy when wet. It is compact, holds little air, and absorbs water very well. It may need amendment with organic materials such as compost, sawdust, coarse sand, or peat moss. This will need to be tilled into the clay soil a good half a foot into your garden bed or row. Clay soil must be amended on a regular basis for optimal success. Vegetables that grow well in clay soil are the types that enjoy lots of moisture and confinement, such as, lettuce, beans, peas, and cabbage.

Sand soil is poor at retaining the water and plant nutrients that many plants in a vegetable garden require. Some herbs, such as lavender, rosemary, and thyme prefer a drier soil, and might thrive better in a sandier soil environment. Carrots, potatoes, radishes, lettuce, and other greens also do very well. To improve sandy soil, you can add compost and organic matter. This improves the amount of water retained and the nutrients it absorbs.

Silt is dusty and created when rock and minerals are deposited by wind, water, and ice. It is smaller than sand particles but larger than clay particles. It is slippery when wet and thrives when it is dry. It is nutrient rich, has good water retention, and air circulation making it an optimal choice for gardening. Like clay, lettuce, carrots, cabbage, and turnips will flourish in silt. Many berry plants and citrus trees will as well.

Peat soil is a darker color, doesn’t get hard or compacted, holds water well, and is nutrient rich. During dry months peat is useful for holding water in and in wet months it is good at protecting roots from rot. Home gardeners often use peat soil or peat moss to improve soil conditions and regulate ph. levels. Potatoes, beets, onions, carrots, lettuce, greens and other root crops grow well in peat soils.

Chalk soil is made of chalk or limestone and often has lots of rocks. Chalk soil drains freely, is shallow, and organic matter isn’t absorbed well in it. This can lead to poor growth and yellowing of leaves for plants that like acidity (pH of 5.5 or lower). Choosing alkaline loving plants for chalky soil is a sure way to success. Organic matter and fertilizers can also improve nutrient uptake. Some alkaline fruit and vegetable plants that grow well in chalky soil are those with a pH range of 6.5 -7.5. Artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, cantaloupe, figs, grapes, plums, and pomegranate all fall into this range.

 Loamy soil is a mixture of clay, sand, and silt. It is ideal for growing many different types of crops and is a type of soil many gardeners prefer. Its components are 52% or less sand, 7- 27 % clay, and 25 % – 50% silt. Some vegetables that grow well in loamy soil are root vegetables, lettuce, zucchini, spinach, and kale.

 Soil Maps are a great tool and resource for information on the types of soil in your geographical area. You can read about your location’s soils, see surveys, find soil geography tools, take a soil health assessment, and learn about soil classifications that the United States government has researched and provided information about.