Sandy Soil
/SAN-dee soyl/🪨 Soil Types● Basic
Also known as: light soil, sand
Sandy soil contains at least 70% sand-sized particles (0.05-2mm). It drains rapidly, warms quickly in spring, and is easy to work, but has poor water and nutrient retention. Nutrients leach quickly through sandy soil, requiring more frequent fertilization. Sandy soils benefit from organic matter additions to improve water-holding capacity. Many Mediterranean and drought-adapted plants thrive in sandy conditions.
Etymology
From Old English sand (sand, gravel)
Example
“The sandy soil required drip irrigation and frequent light fertilizing since water and nutrients drained through rapidly.”