Quick Squeeze Soil Test

Here's a quick way to tell what kind of soil you have using the squeeze test. To determine your soil type, take a handful of moist (but not wet) soil from your garden, and give it a firm squeeze. Then, open your hand. One of three things will happen:

1. It will hold its shape, and when you give it a light poke, it crumbles. This means luxurious loam! 

2. It will hold its shape, and, when poked, sits stubbornly in your hand. This means you have clay soil.

3. It will fall apart as soon as you open your hand. This means you have sandy soil.

If you have sandy or clay soil, the compost in the top photo is the remedy and it will keep loam soil healthy and friable.

Source: UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Orange County website.