Soil Texture Triangle

Guide to Soil Textures by Feel

Northwestern Guide to Soil Textures
(modified from Rob Harrisons figure)
(works best when utilized with adequate beer intake)
Start Here
p lace ap p roximately 10 g soil in p alm,
add water drop wise and knead the soil
to break down aggregates. Soil is at
the p rop er consistency when p lastic add dry soil to
and moldable like moist p utty . soak up water
ya ya
sure sure
does soil remain in a is soil is soil
ball when squeezed?
no
too dry ?
no
too wet?
no
S AND
ya
sure

p lace a ball of soil between thumb and forefinger

gently p ushing the soil with the thumb and
squeezing it up ward into a ribbon. Form a ribbon
of uniform thickness and width. Allow the ribbon
to emerge and extend over the forefinger,
breaking from its own weight

does the soil even form a ribbon? no LOAMY

you S AND
betcha

does soil make a does soil make a does soil make a

weak ribbon less no medium ribbon less no strong ribbon 5 cm
than 2.5 cm long than 2.5 -5 cm long or longer before
before
ya
breaking? before ya
breaking? breaking? ya
sure sure sure

excessively wet a small p inch of soil in p alm and rub with forefinger

does soil does soil S ANDY does soil

ya
ya
feel very sure
sure
S ANDY ya
feel very sure CLAY ya
ya
feel very sure
sure
S ANDY
gritty ? LOAM gritty ? LOAM gritty ? CLAY
no no no

does soil ya does soil S ILTY does soil ya

ya
feel very sure S ILTY ya
feel very sure ya
feel very sure S ILTY
sure
LOAM CLAY sure
CLAY
smooth? smooth? LOAM smooth?
no no no

smoothness or gritti- smoothness or gritti- smoothness or gritti-

ness don't dominate; ness don't dominate; ness don't dominate;
is sticky is sticky ya is sticky ya
ya
sure sure sure
RobHarrison:NW guide to soil texture

LOAM CLAY CLAY

LOAM