Soil Types Analysis

Purpose
In this particular experiment, I will be collecting soil samples, after which I will perform some tests on the said samples so as to determine the kind or type of soil collected. I will also identify the type of soil at hand in the soil triangle and highlight the best use of this kind of soil.
Project Area
The soil samples came from Wave Hill Public Gardens, approximately 500 meters from Hudson River in Bronx, New York. The area is primarily covered by well-manicured lawns and littered with various species of trees and occasional small flowering trees and plants. Below are the Google map locations and a visual representation of the exact point I sampled.
Figure1: Google Map location of the sampling area
Figure 2: Drawing of the exact sampling point
Vegetation
The landscape of my sampling location predominantly comprised of various species of trees and a wide range of flowering plants, with the ground cover being grass. I was able to identify two tree types namely the Copper Beech and the Bigleaf Magnolia – with the former having massive branches spread over and a relatively smooth bark, and the latter having white flowers and notably large leafs. Some of the flowering plants I was able to identify are the Japanese Snowbell (which is characterized by bell shaped white flowers) and the Flowering Cherry (which has white flowers with attractive pink centers). After identifying the soil type, I will later-on research and describe the kind of vegetation likely to be found/or do well in the identified type of soil.
Problems
I obtained testimonies from three residents of this particular area on whether there have been any problems growing some kinds of plants in the area. On the basis of their responses, they have not encountered any issues growing any kind of plants in this area. It should, however, be noted that no farming activity is conducted in this particular location – with most of the plants and other vegetation being planted for decorative and aesthetic purposes only. It is in this context that the said testimonies were offered. One of the residents pointed out that she has not had any problem growing spinach in her backyard. The other two respondents had planted flowers at home that were doing just fine.
Sampling Method
For this exercise, I made use of the following instruments: one small clear plastic bin, several blank sheets of paper and a pen for taking notes, a retractable steel tape, four small planks of wood sharpened on one end, a shovel, and a camera.
1. On arrival, I first identified an area with clearly observable uniformity in terms of ground cover and soil appearance.
2. I than marked out an area measuring approximately 8 meters by 8 meters and demarcated the area using the four planks of wood.
3. Next, I walked in a zigzag pattern within the selected area and marked out 6 spots from where I would collect the soil samples
4. Using the shovel, I dug out the identified areas for small samples (approximately a cupful)
5. The collected samples were then mixed together in the plastic bin. It should be noted that the collection of the soil samples from the 6 marked points within the demarcated area was done in an attempt to ensure that the average condition of the selected area was adequately represented.
There were no problems incurred in the collection of the sample. A photo of me gathering the soil sample is included below.
Figure 3: Gathering the sample
Tests Done
To identify the type of soil I had just collected, I conducted the test highlighted below:
1. I first placed approximately 25g of the collected sample in my palm and added water gradually while kneading the soil so as to ensure that all aggregates were broken. This I continued doing until the soil felt moldable and plastic.
2. I them squeezed the soil to form a ball
3. Next, I placed the soil ball between my forefinger and thumb and in a gentle manner, pushed the soil with the thumb upward so as to form a ribbon. I deliberately ensured that the ribbon formed maintained uniformity in both width and thickness. The ribbon formed in this case was weak and it broke at around 2 cm of formation. It, therefore, did not exceed a length of 2.5 cm.
4. I then took a small pinch of soil into my palm and added a lot of water into the same, before rubbing the sample with my forefinger. The soil, in this case, felt very gritty.
Below is a photo of me doing the tests:



Figure 4: Doing the tests
Results
On the basis of the test conducted above, and as per the directions on the direction sheet, I identified the soil sample as being sandy loam. As per the soil triangle, my soil sample can be found in the bottom left-hand side of the soil triangle – effectively meaning that it has a high concentration of sand, a low concentration of clay, and a low concentration of silt.
Best Use of this Type of Soil
Writing in SF Gate, Lynn Cochran points out that most common vegetables can be grown in this kind of soil. This is more so the case in instances where the said soil is enhanced with some organic matter before planting is done. According to Cochran (2018), “sandy loam soils tend to drain well but can dry more quickly than clay or silt soils.” Most vegetables including, but not limited to, green beans, peppers, as well as tomatoes do well in soils that possess the potential to drain well.


What I Learnt
This particular exercise was an important learning experience. To begin with, I gained an important skill as far as the testing of soil types is concerned. I learnt that I could determine just about any kind of soil without using any sophisticated soil testing tools and equipment. Further, the Google search of the kind of plants that grow in my soil type enabled me to acquaint myself with other soil types and the most appropriate kind of plants for such soils. I also learnt that the soil sample I had in hand could support specific kinds of plants due to one of its key properties i.e. good drainage. Further, thanks to this exercise, I came to appreciate the relevance of soil amendments such as manure and humus in the boosting of soil’s micronutrient content. This is knowledge that could come in handy in not only the professional setting, but also in a more casual home setting, i.e. the home garden.
Personal Opinion
I am of the opinion that this remains a really good experiment that is not only relevant to the course but also quite engaging. To further enhance its relevance, a requirement should perhaps be made for the collection of two (instead of one) soil samples from different locations. This would make the exercise more intensive in that the student would have a broader perspective of not only the soil testing procedures, but also the soil identification and classification process.





References
Cochran, L. (2018). Flowers and Vegetables for Sandy Loam Soil. Retrieved from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/flowers-vegetables-sandy-loam-soil-55505.html