Soils are mixtures of bits of rocks, dead plants and animals, air and water that support plant growth. Different soil types contain particles of different sizes that impact drainage and which plants can grow best. Sand soil has large particles and drains easily while clay soil has tiny particles, few air gaps, and does not drain easily.

1. SoilSoil
Soils are mixtures of bits of rocks, dead
plants and animals ( humus ), air and
water, dissolved minerals
Different plants grow better in
different types of soil.

2. Sand soil Silt soil Clay soil
Large
particles
Small
particles
Tiny
particles
Size of
particles
Air gaps
Water
drain
Large air gaps Less air gaps Few air gaps
Water drains
easily ( high
permeability )
Water drains
slowly
( permeable )
Water does
not drain
easily ( low
permeability )