Types of Soil

Why soil matters

Soil is the top layer of the earth where plants grow. Farmers across Kenya, from the tea farms of Kericho to the maize fields of Trans Nzoia, depend on good soil. The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) asks Grade 4 learners to identify soil types and link them to crops.

Sand soil

• Rough and gritty to touch.
• Water drains through very fast.
• Good for crops like groundnuts, cassava and watermelons.

Clay soil

• Smooth and sticky when wet, hard when dry.
• Holds water for a long time, so it can become waterlogged.
• Good for rice, which loves wet ground.

Loam soil

• A mixture of sand, clay and humus.
• Holds water but also drains well.
• Dark, soft and fertile, so it is the best soil for most crops such as maize, beans and vegetables.

Simple soil test

Take a handful of moist soil and squeeze it.

1. If it falls apart, it is sandy.
2. If it forms a sticky ball that keeps its shape, it is clayey.
3. If it forms a soft ball that crumbles when poked, it is loam.

Caring for soil

Add compost or farmyard manure to give plants food. Do not leave soil bare, because rain and wind carry it away. Plant grass or cover crops to protect it.

Try it

• Collect three soil samples from your school compound and label them.
• Feel each one and say whether it is sand, clay or loam.
• Name one crop grown in your area and the soil it likes.