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17 September 2014
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how to be a gardener - The complete online guide

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Gardening
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1 - Analysing your soil
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Add a handful of soil to a glass jar.Soil type test
  • Add half a handful of soil to a large glass jar
  • Fill with water
  • Stir well
  • Leave to settle for two hours
  • Then look
Sandy or gravelly soilSandy or gravelly soil
Most of the sandy particles sink and form a layer on the bottom, and the water looks fairly clear.

Clay or silty soilClay or silty soil
The water is cloudy with a thin layer of particles on the bottom. The tiny clay particles take ages to settle.

Peaty soilPeaty soil
Lots of bits floating on the surface, the water is a bit cloudy and a small amount of sediment is sitting on the bottom.

Chalky soilChalky soil
A layer of white, gritty fragments on the bottom and the water is a pale greyish colour.

Loamy soilLoamy soil
Fairly clear water with a layered sedimentation on the bottom - the finest particles on the top.

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1. Know your plot

Introduction
Assessing your plot
Analysing your soil
ÌýSoil types
ÌýSoil ph
Drawing a survey
Test your knowledge
Go further

Highlights
Plant lists Plant lists
Plants for different soil types:

Find thousands more plants in the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Gardening database.
Video Video
Soil, what's it all about?
InteractiveInteractive
Test your knowledge of planting in different lighting conditions. Or find out how to test your soil.



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