Assessing texture
Crush the soil sample by hand, or with
a mortar and pestle if necessary.
Remove any roots and gravel. The sample
should be the size of a golf ball.
1
Hold the sample, moisten it, and work
it by hand until it is consistently moist
throughout. It should not be sloppy or drip
water. Note: heavy clays will take time.
2
Next feel the bolus of soil between
the fingers and evaluate its feel
against the second column of the table.
4
5
Now shape the sample into a thick
cigar shape.
Finally flatten the cigar gently to
about 10mm thick by pressing it out
between thumb and forefinger. Push it
away from you as a ribbon of soil.
6
Shape the sample into a bolus (ball).
Assess it for coherence against the
first column of the Soil texture table.
3
When the ribbon breaks, measure the
length of the section it forms. Do this
a few times to get an average ribbon
length. Evaluate the average length
against the third column of the table.
7
Determine the soil texture by looking at
the fourth column on the table opposite.
Write the soil’s texture on the Soil Health
Bullseye Score Card.
RASH MANUAL - 11