Get a first impression of your garden soil

Take a small sample from the area you intend to plant, avoiding obvious surface litter. Moisten it if necessary until it is workable rather than dripping wet.

Feel what dominates

A sandy soil feels gritty and tends to fall apart. Clay-rich soil feels sticky when wet and may form a ribbon or roll. Many garden soils fall between these extremes, and different parts of one garden can vary.

Use this as a starting observation. Texture influences drainage, workability, and water retention, but it does not tell you the nutrient status, pH, or whether the soil contains contaminants.

Connect texture with actual behavior

Notice what happens after rain and during dry weather. Does the ground stay wet, crack, crust, or dry rapidly? Record those patterns before choosing plants or buying amendments.

Wear suitable gloves and wash after handling soil, especially where its history is uncertain. If you suspect contamination, use appropriate local testing advice rather than relying on appearance or smell. A handful of soil can teach you something useful about its physical character; it cannot certify that every kind of plant will grow there safely or that a particular fertilizer is needed.