1. A clear jar with a lid
2. Soil from outside*
3. Water
Optional: 1 spoon of alum (potassium aluminum sulfate) or dish soap
*scoop it from 2-3 inches below the surface and make sure there are no rocks or big roots!
Put a few inches of soil in the jar.
2. Fill the rest of the jar with water.
3. Add a drop of dish soap or alum (optional).
4. Shake the jar for 1–2 minutes.
5. Let your jar sit for a few hours or overnight so the layers can settle. Watch as the layers settle over time!
Compare your jar to the “good soil” jar provided by California Farmland Trust.
What’s the same?
What’s the different?
Would your soil sample be good for growing plants? Why or why not?
Sand: Gritty and drains fast
Silt: Smooth like baby powder; holds water better than sand but can get sticky
Clay: Sticky, hard to break, and holds water tightly
Loam: A balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay. Holds water well but drains easily. Great for growing!
