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Loam

/LOHM/
🪨 Soil Types Basic

Also known as: loamy soil

A soil texture class containing roughly equal proportions of sand, silt, and clay particles, typically about 40% sand, 40% silt, and 20% clay. Loamy soil is considered ideal for most plants because it retains moisture and nutrients while draining well.

Etymology

From Old English lam, meaning "clay, earth."

Example

Most vegetables thrive in rich, well-draining loam amended with compost.

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