Can be confusing when reading about a plant’s soil requirements. Terms like sandy, silt, clay, loam and topsoil seem to complicate the stuff we’re used to just calling “dirt.” Most often planting instructions will suggest planting in loam soil. So what is loam soil? Simply put, loam soil is a proper, healthy balance of sand, silt and clay soil. Topsoil is often confused with loam soil, but they are not the same thing. Loam soil should be rich in minerals and nutrients for the plants and loose enough those roots and spread out and grow strong.
Key Takeaways:
- Defines top soils as the top 12 inches of soil.
- Defines loam as the proper mixture of sand, sit and clay.
- Explains how to measure the components of your soil.
“Simply put, loam soil is a proper, healthy balance of sand, silt and clay soil. Topsoil is often confused with loam soil, but they are not the same thing. The term topsoil describes where the soil came from, usually the top 12” of soil.”
http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/what-is-loam-soil.htm