Use a Soil Hydrometer
A hydrometer is a relatively simple piece of laboratory equipment used to measure the specific gravity of the density of a liquid. When used to test soil, a hydrometer measures the percentage of sand, silt and clay particles in a given soil sample. Clay, silt and sand particles are defined by their size. The test is based on the fact that larger particles of a material will fall more rapidly through water than smaller sized particles. Sand will drop out of suspension first, followed by silt particles. The percentage amounts of sand, silt and clay can be calibrated and the texture of the soil calculated.
Instructions
1. Prepare a soil sample. Dig samples from random locations in the home garden or landscape. Dig a hole 6 to 8 inches deep. Disregard the soil from the hole. Move back about 1 inch from the diameter of the hole and remove a 1 inch slice of soil, 6 to 8 inches deep. Place the sample in a plastic bucket. Continue to take additional samples, placing each slice in the bucket. Take samples in a random, checker-board pattern across the garden plot or landscape about 8 to 10 feet apart.
2. Mix the samples together well, removing roots and rocks. A simple home test can be conducted by placing one cup of the sample material in a glass quart jar. Fill the jar with water, cover with a lid and shake well. Set the jar aside to settle for 48 to 72 hours. After settling, the sand, silt and clay layers will be clearly visible. Measure the depth of each layer of soil particles to determine the percentages of the composite materials. For example, if the bottom sand layer is 1/2-inch thick and the overall depth of the soil is 1 inch, then your soil has about 50 percent sand. This ratio would indicate that you have a sandy loam soil that is ideal for supporting vigorous plant growth. (Do not try to measure any material floating on the top of the surface of the water. This is organic plant material and does not affect the test results.)
3. Purchase a hydrometer with gradients marked on the test tube from a laboratory supply store for a more accurate test. Follow the packaging instruction for the amount of soil and water to place in the hydrometer. A complete soil analysis, including the information obtained from a hydrometer test, is available from county extension offices. The extension office will provide a kit and instructions. Included in the kit will be a chart called a texture triangle. After the soil has settled following, read the gradients on the hydrometer test tube to determine the percentages of sand, silt and clay. The texture triangle chart will show percentages. Follow the chart to determine soil textures. (For example, if you have 50 percent sand, 40 percent silt, and 10 percent clay, your soil type would be a loam.)
4. Submit the sample to a laboratory for testing. Soil tests are available from county extension offices or from the agricultural departments of universities and colleges. Discuss the results of the test with the extension agent to determine recommendations for soil enhancement. Soil structure, texture and fertility is dependent upon the fractions of clay and other component materials. Distribution of fine grain soils is often determined by a sedimentation test using a hydrometer to provide the necessary data to determine the GSD (grain size distribution) of the soil sample. Silts sizes range between 2 and 75 microns. Clays are finer than 2 microns.
5. Amend soil as indicated by the hydrometer test results. Clay soil is improved by the application of gypsum to the soil. Broadcast gypsum across the soil and cultivate with a garden tiller. Clay texture is also improved by the addition of sand and organic compost material. Spread a 1-inch layer of sand on the garden plot, thent add a 4- to 6-inch layer of organic compost or mulch. Till repeatedly until added materials are worked well into the soil.
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