Soils and drainage

Silty Clay Loam Soil Class advert image shown if present
Image shown for entry if relevant and present

A relatively heavy soil that is not suited for turfgrass situations and is poor for general landscaping as well. An example of a silty clay loam soil is one that contains the following: 15% sand, 50% silt, 35% clay. The soil can retain nutrients and moisture well but will be difficult to work for much of the year when it is wet and drying hard and providing a surface cap during hot dry weather.

Silty Clay Soil Class advert image shown if present
Image shown for entry if relevant and present

A soil with a high percentage of silt, along with high percentage of clay and low percentage of sand. An example of a silty clay soil is one that contains the following: 10% sand, 45% silt, 45% clay. Not a soil for amenity or sports turf areas, but for damp landscapes wishing to encourage specific wildlife and vegetation then this will be ideal because water and nutrient retention will be high.

Slit Drain advert image shown if present
Image shown for entry if relevant and present

A narrow channel formed into a turf surface to aid the removal of surface water to sub-surface drains. The slit may be formed by excavating soil and filling with sand or sand overlaying gravel, or similar coarse aggregate material. It may even have sand injected into a channel without soil excavation.

Slit Drainage advert image shown if present
Image shown for entry if relevant and present

A drainage system consisting of one or more slit drains.

Smectite advert image shown if present
Image shown for entry if relevant and present

A 2:1 layer clay mineral. It is typically produced following weathering of basic rocks and often results in poorly drained soils with alkaline soil pH.

Smile Drain advert image shown if present
Image shown for entry if relevant and present

A lateral drain laid in the shape of an arc, resembling the curve line of a smile, which (where installed) is located at the lowest points of a golf green, and which is typically the front of a green as well, but may also be at other perimeter areas.

Soakaway advert image shown if present
Image shown for entry if relevant and present

An excavated hole, or pit, which has been filled with porous material, such as gravel or stones. Drainage water is channelled into the soakaway using drainage pipes. The aim of this is for collected water to gradually drain away into the surrounding soil and sub-layer. This negates the need for an outfall.

Soil advert image shown if present
Image shown for entry if relevant and present

A predominantly mineral material, consisting of different proportions of sand, silt and clay, along with organic matter. Soil has arisen from the actions of weathering and micro-organisms and is the main material in which plants grow.

Soil Air advert image shown if present
Image shown for entry if relevant and present

The composition of air within the soil.

Soil Formation advert image shown if present
Image shown for entry if relevant and present

A soil development process, called pedogenesis, that transforms rock into soil. The process is influenced by the interactions of climate, organisms, the parent rock material, topography and time. • Climate, particularly temperature and moisture variables, but also the impact of high winds. • Organisms which decompose to from organic matter as well as consequences from their physical activity, for example, digging. • Parent rock provides the core characteristics for soil, including texture, structure and fertility. • Topography influences erosion and water run-off, along with influencing m

Continue reading about this