Do you know your soil type?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by JWK, Oct 31, 2011.

  1. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Soilscapes Cranfield University

    Soilscapes lets you zoom into a map showing your local soil types. Select the “postcode” option then the “i" Identity option to find out your soil type and profile. Mine says “Shallow, lime rich soils over limestone or chalk”. Yes that’s accurate for me, anyone else used it?

    It's only for England and Wales.
     
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    • HarryS

      HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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      That is one amazing site John ! How on earth have they mapped the soil types so accurately.
      My soil is
      Slowly permeable seasonally wet slightly acid but base-rich loamy and clayey soils
      Doesn't exactly trip of the tongue but I am going to impress someone when they ask !!:yess:
       
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      • Phil A

        Phil A Guest

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        Good find John,

        Naturally wet loamy & clayey floodplain soils.
         
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        • HarryS

          HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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          Did it know that you were growing carrots as well Ziggy ? It knew I was :D
           
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          • Scrungee

            Scrungee Well known for it

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            Seems useless for those who are colourblind and have dodgy eyesight.
             
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            • shiney

              shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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              Slightly acid loamy and clayey soils with impeded drainage.
               
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              • *dim*

                *dim* Head Gardener

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                something I will be buying in the spring is a decent soil testing kit .... been reading up about these and is good for testing lawns and flower beds before adding fertilizer

                some people say one should not add fertilizer before testing?
                 
              • ClaraLou

                ClaraLou Total Gardener

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                Shallow lime-rich soil over chalk or limestone. Yep, that's it! Texture: loamy. I must admit it's a joy after London clay. You could spend days digging out a decent sized hole, only to discover that you had constructed a sump.

                How many people would do a bit of soil research before moving to a new area? After my experiences on heavy clay, I think I would.
                 
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                • Trunky

                  Trunky ...who nose about gardening

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                  Freely draining, slightly acid sandy soil. Low fertility.

                  No kidding. Think I already new that. :cool:

                  One day of sunshine and it turns to dust.
                  Never seen a puddle in my garden in 23 years.
                  Eats as much compost/muck as I can throw at it.
                   
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                  • Pixie

                    Pixie Gardener

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                    Slowly permeable seasonally wet acid loamy and clayey soils

                    Not sure about the acid soil, but agree with the rest. :) Might have to test it myself now.
                     
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                    • Freddy

                      Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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                      Hiya *dim*

                      My guess is that any test carried out AFTER adding fertiliser would be tainted/influenced.
                       
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                      • *dim*

                        *dim* Head Gardener

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                        have read the same comments on several forums but have the belief that if you test properly, (irresepective if you have fertilized prior), this will give you an indication of the current soil situation/composition, and will assist in the strength/formulation of the fertilizer that should be added?
                         
                      • Jack McHammocklashing

                        Jack McHammocklashing Sludgemariner

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                        CONCRETE AND TARMACADAM Low fertility not suitable for most vegetation :-) M90

                        Well that's what it would say if it went north of the border


                        Jack McH
                         
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                        • Freddy

                          Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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                          "Current" being the objective term. IMO, one needs to know the underlying composition, especially when growing veg ;)
                           
                        • *dim*

                          *dim* Head Gardener

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                          just goes to show .... there is so much that I still need to learn, but I am ecstatic that you are at hand on Gardener's corner, so will be 'picking your brain' in the near future ....

                          :)
                           
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