Clay Soil

Soil with very small, flat particles that tend to pack together tightly, hardens when dry, sticky when wet and drains poorly without organic amendments.

Soils made mostly of clay are called heavy soils and are much harder to dig. Clay has more nutrients than sand, and clay soils are usually more fertile. Clay holds moisture rather than letting it drain away as sand will do, about four time as much. However, roots have a harder time growing through clay, and clay has less air space. In spring, clay soils warm slowly since they are denser and usually contain more moisture. It can also be described as a soil containing from 30 to 100 percent clay; as being fine-textured.