Achieving Loam

A precise definition reads, "Loam: A soil with a combination of clay and enough sand to counteract the cohering property of the clay, usually implying the presence of considerable decomposed organic matter with accompanying fertility."

To clarify the definition, imagine that clay, sand and some decomposed organic matter are mixed in just the right proportions (roughly a third, a third and a third). That's loam.

Unfortunately, soils rarely occur in such proportions naturally. Most have some clay and some sand, but few have the organic matter content that's needed to produce loam, and that's why it's important to add compost to the soil. When you do, you'll have loam.

Also in this Episode

Gardening by the Yard : Episode GBY-202
•	Potatoes
•	Planting Potatoes Whole
•	Bonsai Basics
•	Preventing Plant Disease
•	Achieving Loam