{"id":6737,"date":"2024-02-10T07:34:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-10T07:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/?p=6737"},"modified":"2024-02-10T10:09:57","modified_gmt":"2024-02-10T10:09:57","slug":"what-type-of-soil-is-best-for-farming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/what-type-of-soil-is-best-for-farming\/","title":{"rendered":"What Type Of Soil Is Best For Farming?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Knowing what type of soil you have and what type you need for the crops you have in mind is one of the very most important aspects of successful farming<\/a>. Knowing your soil type will help you choose crops that will be successful, and understanding the quality of your soil will inform you as to what you need to do to amend and improve it for success. In this article, we discuss the most suitable types of soil for farming. Read on to learn more on what type of soil is best for farming<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Begin With Soil Testing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Test your soil yourself<\/a>, or call in the help of your county agricultural extension to determine exactly what type of soil you have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally speaking, good growing soil should have well-balanced nutrients such as magnesium, potassium and nitrates. Excesses of any nutrient or micronutrient can spell trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seven Types of Soil You Are Likely to Encounter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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1. Loam<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a very desirable type of soil because it is light, airy and provides a good growing substrate for a wide variety of vegetables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Sand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It provides very sharp drainage and is a good choice for root vegetables like carrots, turnips and parsnips. Herbs, such as thyme, bush clover, creeping Juniper and Bayberry also do well in sandy soil<\/a>. Fig and pomegranate trees<\/a> thrive in sandy soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Loamy Sand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a combination that makes the most of these two good types of soil. It provides good drainage and good nutrition for vegetable crops such as tomatoes, leafy greens, beets and carrots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Clay<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Clay is not light and airy, and is not typically good<\/a> for most fruits and vegetables. Even so, there are some types of plants that grow well in soil with a high percentage of clay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among them are cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage; some herbs such as red valerian and Yarrow, and some trees such as Black Walnut<\/a>, maple, pear and cherry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Silt<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Silt is quite fertile and provides lots of good nutrients for vegetables such as turnips, cabbage, carrots and lettuce. Fruit trees such as pomegranate and citrus do well in silty soil, as do berries including raspberries, strawberries and blackberries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Chalky Soil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chalky soil is quite alkaline, and generally needs to be amended to correct this imbalance. Even so, vegetables such as cabbage, spinach, sweet corn<\/a> and beets can do well in soil with a high chalk content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Peaty Soil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It can be quite beneficial if organic matter such as compost<\/a> and lime are mixed in to lower its acidity level. This type of soil can provide an excellent substrate for legumes, spinach, cabbage and also for root crops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Is Soil Testing So Important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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If you don’t have your soil tested, you’re flying blind. Different types of crops need different levels of drainage and nutrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pH level of the soil is extremely important in determining whether or not your crop will thrive or fail. Good testing tells you exactly what you have and exactly what you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you have your soil tested, you’ll know the levels of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n