Choosing the right soil for your garden plants is really important. You need to understand the quality of your garden soil. Here are the main types of soil and what they are like:

1. Sandy Soil:

   • This type of soil drains water easily.
   • However, it doesn’t hold much moisture or nutrients for plants.
   • It usually has about 60% sand, 30% silt, and 10% clay.
   • Great for plants that don't need a lot of water, like lavender and succulents.

2. Clay Soil:

   • Clay soil holds a lot of moisture and nutrients.
   • But it doesn’t drain well, which can be a problem.
   • It has more than 25% clay particles.
   • Good for plants that love water, such as willows and irises.

3. Silty Soil:

   • This soil is smooth and rich in nutrients.
   • It holds moisture really well.
   • It usually contains 40% silt, 40% sand, and 20% clay.
   • Perfect for many plants, including vegetables and flowers.

4. Loamy Soil:

   • Loamy soil is a balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay.
   • Typically, it’s made up of 40% sand, 40% silt, and 20% clay.
   • It keeps moisture while also draining well.
   • This type of soil is best for most garden plants since it provides a great growing environment.

Testing your soil regularly can help your plants grow healthier. In fact, about 40% of how well a garden does depends on the quality of the soil.