SOIL

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Do a soil test!

A first important step in determining what plants will likely be successful in your garden is determining what kind of soil you have. Some plants are very picky about their soil, so not every native plant will thrive in every garden. Manzanitas need sand, while California wildroses prefer clay. Follow these steps to determine what kind of soil is in your garden so you can choose the right native plants for your soil.

Step 1: Fill a jar one-third full with soil from your garden. Make sure to remove sticks, rocks, and other debris.

Step 2: Fill the remainder of the jar with clean water and shake well until the soil is fully mixed with the water.

Step 3: Let the jar rest for one minute. The sand will sink to the bottom. Mark a line above the sand with a permanent marker.

Step 4: Let the jar rest for 2 hours. The silt will now layer on top of the sand. Mark this new line with a permanent marker.

Step 5: Let the jar rest for 2 days. The final layer, clay, will settle on top. Mark this line with a permanent marker.

Step 6: Take a ruler and measure the following:

  • Bottom of jar to clay line

  • Bottom of jar to sand line

  • Sand line to silt line

  • Silt line to clay line

Step 7: Calculate your percentage of each section:

  • (Bottom to sand)/(Bottom to clay) x 100 = % Sand

  • (Sand to silt)/(Bottom to clay) x 100 = % Silt

  • (Silt to clay)/(Bottom to clay) x 100 = % Clay

Step 8: Use the diagram on the top of the next page to determine your soil type.

Photo Examples

  1. Claire’s Garden: Clayey – very slow draining
    Sand: 26% Silt: 0% Clay: 74%

  2. OVLC Office: Loamy – medium draining
    Sand: 30% Silt: 42% Clay: 28%

  3. Oso Trailhead: Sandy – fast draining
    Sand: 70% Silt: 19% Clay: 11%

A ternary diagram illustrating soil texture composition with three main components: sand, silt, and clay. The diagram shows percentages for each component and how they combine to form different soil types like sandy loam, silt loam, and clay loam, with color-coded sections and labeled axes.
Three glass jars with wooden lids containing soil and water samples, shown outdoors on a wooden surface with a clear sky in the background.

Other soil resources

A person using a rake in a large, open field marked with small colorful flags, with mountains and trees in the background.

  • This guide will go over the basics on how to cultivate healthy soil. From an overview on what soil is to actionable steps, this guide will get you started gardening for not only plants but also your soil!

    Read the article

Two children raking leaves on a dirt trail in a natural landscape with shrubs and trees, cloudy sky in the background.

  • What is healthy soil? This article will go over the fundamentals of what makes soil healthy.

    Healthy Soil

Three people working outdoors with shovels near a large pile of mulch. One man on the right wears a white t-shirt and red cap, a woman in the middle wears a light blue hoodie, and another man on the left wears sunglasses and a gray t-shirt. There are trees and grass in the background.

  • Check out this page of resources from the State of California on how to reduce erosion. From mulching to planting, this site outlines erosion control basics and more detailed resources.

    Learn more here

People planting small green plants into black pots inside a green outdoor bin, using black plastic tubing for drainage or ventilation.

  • This step-by-step guide outlines how you can make your own compost at home. It teaches the basic procedure and problem solving. A great place to get started on your composting journey!

    Home Composting

A person wearing a red bandana, white shirt, and jeans is gardening, using a hoe in a sunny outdoor area with small plants, near a row of tools and a green wheelbarrow.

  • Use this one-stop toolbox for any mulch and compost related questions. Scroll down to the bottom for guides on use in the garden.

    Note that native plants often prefer less compost and fertilizer than other horticultural varieties.

    Visit the Toolbox

A front yard with freshly planted soil, a concrete sidewalk, a large tree providing shade, and a two-story house in the background. A woman is standing on the porch, pointing at the yard. Several parked cars are visible on the street.

  • Mulching is a great way to increase moisture retention and decrease unwanted weeds! Here are some options for acquiring free mulch in Ventura County.

    Contact Local Arborists

    City of Ventura

    Unincorporated Areas