At-Home Soil Test

Put on your lab coat and channel your inner soil scientist! You can easily conduct an at-home soil agronomy test with a few simple materials. This DIY can help you estimate the texture of your soil by seeing how soil particles settle over time. At a basic level, soil is a mix of sand, silt, and clay. The particles settle into three layers: clay on top, silt in the middle, and sand on the bottom.

Instructions

1. Collect your soil sample, removing any rocks, roots, or plant debris.
2. Fill a clear jar about halfway with soil.
3. Add a drop of dish soap, then fill the jar with water, leaving some space at the top.
4. Seal the jar and shake it vigorously, allowing the soil and water to mix.
5. Wait for the soil to settle out into layers.
6. Once the water at the top is clear, usually after about 24 hours, measure each layer to roughly estimate your soil’s composition. If the water isn’t clear, the soil hasn’t fully settled yet!