Soil Testing & Soil Improvement

The pH/quality of your soil can be tested either with a testing kit or by subscribing to our Soil Analysis Service.

The Importance Of Understanding Soil Quality

The quality of soil - its ability to provide a medium in which plants grow, filter water and provide an environment for biodiversity - depends on many different processes that reflect biological, chemical and physical interactions. Understanding how soil carries out its functions is imperative if we are to maintain soil quality. Failure to manage soil effectively can degrade these functions. Poor quality soils are less able to retain chemicals such as pesticides (where they are used), nutrients and fertilizers.

Soil type is determined by the relative quantities of organic matter, rock and mineral particles. An easy way of determining which type you have is by picking up some damp soil, examining it and rubbing it between your fingers.

• Clay soil will be a bit sticky and be easy to roll into a ball.
• Sandy soil will feel gritty and won't hold together at all, water will drain easily through it.
• Silty soil will feel silky and won't hold together into a ball like clay but will make a roll.
• Loamy soil is brown and crumbly in texture, and has lots of organic matter in it.
• Chalky soil is light and doesn't hold water too well, and you'll find chunks of chalk or flint when you dig. Chalk soil is always alkaline.
• Peaty soil is almost black to look at, spongy to the touch and holds a lot of water.

If you need any assistance please contact us. We’re here to help!