4 • create a trinity lifestyle
There are four main soil types: (1) Sand, which is the largest particle, but one that does not easily hold nutrients. “Sandy soils drain rapidly and there is ample air for the plant roots. They are easy to cultivate…but they dry out very easily and because of their rapid drainage, nutrients are quickly washed away.” (The Garden Book, 194) (2) Silt is a medium size particle. It feels smooth and powdery. When wet it does not feel sticky. “Silt can be difficult to cultivate because it is not flocculated (able to form lumps or mass). (The Garden Book, 195) (3) Clay is the smallest of particles in the soil. It is smooth when dry and sticky when wet. It is able to hold the most nutrients yet it “is difficult to cultivate because it is slow draining and has little air penetration.” (The Garden Book, 194) (4) Loam is a grain mixture of sand, silt, clay, plant nutrients and organic matter. “This is the ideal soil…it is easy to cultivate, retains moisture and nutrients.” (The Garden Book, 195) Now that the four main types of soil are identified, what makes soil good or bad? “A good soil will contain all the nutrient elements necessary for the well-being of plants. Earthworms, insects, burrowing animals all contribute to the organic content of the soil. Both water and air are also necessary. In poorly drained soils, the plant’s roots Build a healthy soil are restricted and the lack of air inhibits the for healthy plants. plant’s uptake of minerals from the soil.” (The Garden Book, 194-195). At some level, all soil Water less, weed needs to be improved. Even the richest soil less, fight fewer pests can be helped by adding organic material. The and reap a more benefits of improving soil include: (1) reduced bountiful harvest. erosion; (2) improved root penetration and ac- Tips for the Lazy cess to soil moisture and nutrients; (3) imGardener, 18 proved emergence of seedlings and (4) greater water infiltration, retention and availability. And in even simpler terms, improving soil makes the nutrients in the soil more accessible, helps reduce diseases, retains moisture, and controls weed growth. To help show how this soil information relates to you I have created a chart. (see figure 1) I have equated sand to the Mind. Just as the sand is the largest particle; the mind is the largest driving force behind all our actions and thoughts. Just like sand your mind can be readily cultivated but if not used it will ‘dry out’ and ‘lose nutrients.’ The silt is compared to your body because just as silt can be difficult to cultivate, the body takes time, energy and resources for any positive results to occur. The clay is like your spirit. For just as clay is able to hold the most nutrients our spirit, some would call it ‘the soul,’ is the very essence of who we are. Both clay and the spirit can be dif-