The Soil Texture Triangle

Summary

The video explains the USDA soil texture triangle, a tool used to classify soil based on its sand, silt, and clay content. Using a mason jar test, the presenter demonstrates how to plot percentages on the triangle to identify soil types. The video walks through examples, showing how to determine whether soil is clay, loam, or another type. It simplifies what initially seems like a complex process, making it accessible for viewers. The presenter also promotes permaculture courses and their work supporting orphanages.

Takeaways

• 📘 The speaker discusses a permaculture design course and the amount of information learned in the soils class.
• 📖 They reference the USDA Soil Texture Triangle, explaining its purpose in soil classification.
• ⚖️ The triangle is used to categorize soil types based on sand, silt, and clay percentages from a mason jar test.
• 📊 The speaker breaks down how to interpret the triangle by explaining the sides for clay, silt, and sand.
• 🎯 A specific example is given where the soil contains 60% clay, 20% silt, and 20% sand, resulting in a clay classification.
• 📐 Another example involves 30% clay, 50% silt, and 20% sand, placing the soil between silty clay loam and clay loam.
• 🧠 The triangle makes it easier to communicate soil types, which is useful when working with environmental engineers.
• 🌍 The speaker emphasizes the practical use of soil classification in projects like building ponds or dams.
• 🎸 The video ends with a fun reference to air guitar and promoting the School of Permaculture’s initiatives.
• ❤️ Proceeds from their activities support an orphanage and permaculture outreach efforts.

Q & A

What is the USDA soil texture triangle mentioned in the script?

The USDA soil texture triangle is a chart used to classify soils based on the proportions of sand, silt, and clay. It helps in determining the soil type by placing the results of a mason jar test on the graph.

How do you use the mason jar test to identify soil type?

The mason jar test helps determine the percentage of sand, silt, and clay in the soil. These percentages are then plotted on the USDA soil texture triangle to classify the soil type.

What is the purpose of using the USDA classification for soil?

The USDA classification allows for standardization, which is useful when discussing soil properties with professionals like geo-environmental engineers, especially for projects like building ponds or dams.

How do you read the clay percentage on the USDA soil texture triangle?

To read the clay percentage, start on the clay side of the triangle. For example, if the clay is at 60%, you move horizontally across the graph from that point to locate the soil type.

What are the three components of soil represented on the triangle?

The three components are sand, silt, and clay. Each side of the triangle represents one of these components, with percentages that help classify the soil type.

Can a soil type have a dual classification? If so, how?

Yes, a soil type can have a dual classification if it falls between two categories on the USDA soil texture triangle, as shown in the example of the soil between 'silty clay loam' and 'clay loam.'

Why does the speaker say the soil texture triangle looks complicated but is simple?

Although the chart initially appears complex, it's actually straightforward once you understand how to plot the percentages of sand, silt, and clay to determine the soil type.

How do you plot the silt percentage on the triangle?

To plot the silt percentage, start on the silt side of the triangle. For instance, if the silt percentage is 20%, you move diagonally down from that point to find the soil classification.

What is the significance of understanding soil types in permaculture?

Understanding soil types is crucial in permaculture because it helps in making informed decisions about land use, such as constructing ponds or dams, and optimizing agricultural practices based on soil properties.

What additional activities does the speaker promote related to permaculture?

The speaker promotes taking permaculture design courses, supporting an orphanage, and participating in hands-on work that helps communities using permaculture principles.

Outlines

00:00

📘 Understanding the USDA Soil Texture Triangle

The speaker introduces the USDA Soil Texture Triangle, a tool used to classify soil based on its composition of sand, silt, and clay. By conducting a mason jar test, one can determine the percentages of these components and use the triangle to classify soil types. The triangle helps in identifying the soil structure for further applications, such as consulting with engineers for pond or dam construction.

🟢 Breaking Down the Soil Texture Triangle

The speaker explains how to interpret the Soil Texture Triangle, with clay, silt, and sand on its three sides. Each side is measured from 10% to 100%. By mapping the percentage of each component—60% clay, 20% silt, and 20% sand—the soil type can be identified as 'clay.' The speaker emphasizes that while the graph may seem complex, it is simple to use with the right approach.

📊 Classifying Soil Using a Second Example

In this example, the speaker demonstrates how to classify soil with a different composition: 30% clay, 50% silt, and 20% sand. By following the same method on the triangle, the soil type falls between silty clay loam and clay loam. This method allows precise classification using the USDA Soil Texture Triangle.

🎸 Fun Outro with a Permaculture Twist

The speaker wraps up by encouraging viewers to visit School of Permaculture’s website and social media, offering an entertaining twist by suggesting 'air guitar' as a perk of attending classes. Proceeds from these platforms support their work with orphans, inviting viewers to engage with permaculture and help communities.

Keywords

💡Permaculture

Permaculture is a system of agricultural and social design principles centered around simulating or directly utilizing the patterns and features observed in natural ecosystems. It is a philosophy of working with, rather than against, nature. In the video, the concept is central as the speaker discusses a permaculture design course, indicating that the video's theme revolves around sustainable and self-sufficient practices in agriculture and land use.

💡Soils Class

A soils class is an educational course focused on the study of soil composition, properties, and management. In the context of the video, the soils class is part of a permaculture design course, suggesting that understanding soil is crucial for designing sustainable agricultural systems. The class likely covers topics such as soil texture, structure, and fertility, which are essential for permaculture practitioners.

💡Mason Jar Test

The Mason Jar Test is a simple method used to determine the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay in a soil sample. It involves adding water to the soil sample in a jar, shaking it, and then allowing it to settle. The layers that form represent the different soil textures. In the video, this test is mentioned as a tool for obtaining the percentages of sand, silt, and clay, which are then used to classify the soil using the USDA soil texture triangle.

💡USDA Soil Texture Triangle

The USDA Soil Texture Triangle is a graphical tool used to classify soil texture based on the percentages of sand, silt, and clay. It is a fundamental tool in soil science and is used to determine soil type, which influences agricultural practices and land management decisions. The video script describes how to use the triangle to interpret the results of the Mason Jar Test, emphasizing its practical application in identifying soil types for permaculture design.

💡Clay

Clay is a soil texture made up of fine particles that have a high capacity to retain water and nutrients. It is one of the three primary soil textures, along with sand and silt. In the video, clay is one of the components measured in the Mason Jar Test and is used to plot the soil's position on the USDA Soil Texture Triangle, which helps in classifying the soil and understanding its properties.

💡Silt

Silt is a soil particle size between sand and clay, known for its medium texture. It is one of the components measured in the Mason Jar Test. The video explains how the percentage of silt in a soil sample contributes to its classification on the USDA Soil Texture Triangle, which is important for understanding the soil's behavior and suitability for various uses in permaculture.

💡Sand

Sand is a coarse soil texture that has large particles and drains water quickly. It is one of the three primary soil textures, along with silt and clay. The video discusses how the percentage of sand in a soil sample is determined through the Mason Jar Test and is then plotted on the USDA Soil Texture Triangle to help classify the soil type, which is a key aspect of soil analysis in permaculture.

💡Geo-environmental Engineers

Geo-environmental engineers are professionals who apply knowledge of geology and environmental science to manage natural resources and mitigate environmental impacts. In the video, the speaker mentions that understanding soil classifications, as provided by the USDA Soil Texture Triangle, can be useful for communicating with geo-environmental engineers, particularly when planning projects like building ponds or dams, which are relevant to permaculture practices.

💡Orphanage Work

Orphanage work refers to activities and initiatives aimed at supporting and caring for orphaned or abandoned children. In the video, the speaker mentions that proceeds from their educational platform go towards supporting an orphanage, indicating a broader mission of community support and social responsibility that is intertwined with the permaculture philosophy of caring for people and the planet.

💡School of Permaculture

The School of Permaculture is likely the educational institution or platform from which the speaker is delivering the course. It is mentioned as a resource for those interested in learning more about permaculture. The video script encourages viewers to check out the website and social media pages, suggesting that it offers a variety of educational materials and community engagement opportunities related to permaculture.

Highlights

Introduction to the USDA soil texture triangle as a tool for classifying soil based on sand, silt, and clay percentages.

Explanation of the mason jar test for determining the percentages of sand, silt, and clay in soil.

The importance of soil classification for communication with geo-environmental engineers for projects like building ponds or dams.

A detailed walkthrough of how to use the soil texture triangle graph to classify soil based on its composition.

Visual demonstration of how to plot the percentages of soil components on the USDA soil texture triangle.

Identification of a soil sample as clay based on its composition of 60% clay, 20% silt, and 20% sand.

Explanation of how to interpret the graph to find the soil type, even when the percentages are close to the boundaries of different soil categories.

Classification of a soil sample as silty clay loam with 30% clay, 50% silt, and 20% sand.

Discussion on the practical applications of soil classification in permaculture design and land management.

Encouragement for viewers to engage with the School of Permaculture's resources, including their website and social media.

Mention of the YouTube channel as a platform for learning more about permaculture and related topics.

Invitation to support the Aiden orphanage work through proceeds from the School of Permaculture's activities.

A call to action for viewers to join in hands-on permaculture projects and community engagement.

A light-hearted offer of a free air guitar for participation in classes, symbolizing the fun and community spirit of the School of Permaculture.

Closing remarks expressing gratitude and love to the audience, emphasizing the positive impact of permaculture practices.

Transcripts

guys you take a permaculture design

course you go through the soils class

you learn a ridiculous amount of

information you do your own study and

you get back to permaculture designers

manual flipping through here page 186

you have this

amazing super complicated looking graph

what is that that is the USDA

soil texture triangle so what in the

world is a soil texture Triangle Well it

is not a triangle to be concerned about

it's pretty simple to understand and the

reason it is there is so we can take

something simple like that mason jar

test that we're always doing we can use

that get our percentages of sand silt

and clay and we use those percentages to

then properly identify them into a

category that the USDA will um classify

and recognize then we can use that um

that wording of the classification to

further like maybe go on to talk to Geo

environmental Engineers or whatnot if

you're wanting to build a pond or or a

dam so let's go over it okay looks very

complicated but in actuality it's really

simple they've already put down the

blueprint for it you just have to fill

in what is what so let's look at this

this side of the the triangle is clay

and this side is silt and this side is

sand and if you notice we start here it

starts at 10 up to 100 and then 10 down

to 100 and then 10 across to 100 so it's

kind of this like triangly Circle let's

look

at this soil type if we get close up on

it we can see that it's about 60% clay

there at the top and then underneath

that you'll see an additional 20% of

silt and below that it's 20% of sand

it's very difficult to see but you could

see the structure changing as you get

close to it and they're all very similar

color so how do we reflect those how do

we reflect those numbers onto this chart

okay clay side we're at 60% so 60% is

right here we're going to move

horizontal like this right so the clay

is on this side and it moves horizontal

on the silt side we're at 20 so it

starts here this one goes down on a

diagonal path like that on the sand side

we're also at 20 and this one goes up so

where these intersect boom it's in this

whole piece of the graph here that's

clay so we can safely say that the soil

type in this mason jar test that we've

done ends up being a clay soil

let's do one more this one is about 30%

clay 50% silt and 20% sand so here we

are we're at the 30% clay and we'll come

across like this the 50% silt down and

the

20%

sand boom right here this one is right

in between the silty clay lone and the

clay loone like right in between right

there so that has uh almost a dual

classification but you can classify it

now in one of the categories that come

with the

usda's soil texture triangle you guys

are awesome make sure to check out

schoolof permac culture.com check out

our Facebook page come and like us

subscribe to our YouTube channel um and

by the way right now just play some air

guitar you get a free one every time you

come to class it's amazing I got a whole

um like house full of them uh know that

the proceeds from both of those go to

our Aiden or orphanage work and where we

invite you to come out with us and hang

out and just love on people and help

them uh using the tools of permaculture

you guys are awesome we love you and

we'll see you next time