Is there a simple procedure for testing the porosity of your garden soil?

Question

I mean, isn't there a way to calculate this with a given quantity of water passing through a given amount of soil to determine its porosity by timing it and then using a standard scale? (Or something like this.) I want to decide whether or not to lighten soil by adding sand or compost to it or make it more dense by adding topsoil.

Answer 1

I found two excellent websites that will answer your questions;

http://www.organicgardening.com/feature/0,7518,s1-3-78-314,00.html

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/la/la_001.cfm

Good Luck!

Answer 2

There was something about - dig a hole a couple of feet deep and fill with water. After it drains fill it again with water, and time how long it takes to drain, if it drains in a certain amount of time, it's ok. Of course right this minute I can't find the time frame.

I wouldn't add sand, as several reference places - on line and books -say mixing sand into clay gives a concrete like material. Your best bet, no matter what type of dirt you have, is to mix in humus, compost, organic materials. They improve both clay soils by letting water drain easier and roots penetrate easier, and sandy soils because it helps to hold moisture rather than it running it right through.

http://gardening.about.com/od/gardenprimer/a/Amending_Soil.htm "An easy test for soil texture is to make a ball of damp garden soil. If it breaks apart when you tap it, it’s sandy. If you can press it between your thumb and finger and make a ribbon, it’s clay."

"Don’t try to change your soil texture by adding sand to clay or vice versa. That is a recipe for cement. "

Answer 3

Too much nitrogen? You are burning the soil then. Easiest is to mix in some poorer soil to distribute things better.