What type of soil is found in Illinois?
Drummer silty clay loam
Establishment of State Soil On August 2, 2001, Illinois’ Governor signed legislation designating Drummer silty clay loam as the official state soil of Illinois.
What kind of soil is in Chicago?
For the most part the Chicago area is made up of 85% clay and and very little loam soils. These types of soil can either absorb lots of water or evaporate quickly with mini droughts.
Is silt soil good for agriculture?
Silty soil is usually more fertile than other types of soil, meaning it is good for growing crops. Silt promotes water retention and air circulation. Too much clay can make soil too stiff for plants to thrive. Agricultural soil is washed away into rivers, and nearby waterways are clogged with silt.
Is Illinois soil acidic?
Agricultural soils of Illinois tend to acidify to pH values more acidic than 6.5. This acidity is managed by adding lime (carbonates of calcium and magnesium). Average soil pH values vary from mildly alkaline (7.0-7.5) to strongly acid (5.2-5.5) in extreme southern Illinois.
Is Illinois soil acidic or alkaline?
Is Chicago soil acidic or alkaline?
Soils in the Chicago area tend to be more alkaline, with a pH of approximately 6.0 and higher; therefore, adding lime to increase alkalinity is uncommon.
What are the disadvantages of silt soil?
Silty soils have a greater tendency than other types to form a crust. When dry, silty soils feel floury to the touch, but when wet, you can easily form balls in your hand.
What grows best in silt soil?
Moisture-loving trees such as Willow, Birch, Dogwood and Cypress do well in silty soils. Most vegetable and fruit crops thrive in silty soils which have adequate adequate drainage.
What kind of soil grows well in silty soil?
Some soils may be a silt mix, which means that it may be predominantly silt, but also include a certain % of another type of soil as well. This may change the suitability of the soil to grow different things in it, as it isn’t a full silt soil
What to do with silty soil in spring?
It’s wise to maintain a cover of mulch on silty soils to prevent the loss of moisture and slowly add organic matter to the soil. Silty soil doesn’t warm up as quickly in spring as sandy soil does, so forming it into raised beds with the long face of the bed facing south is also a good idea.
Why is silt soil used for agricultural purposes?
Silt is easily transported by moving currents and it is mostly found near the river, lake, and other water bodies. The silt is more fertile compared to the other three types of soil. Therefore it is used in agricultural practices to improve soil fertility.
How big is a particle of silt soil?
Silt soil is a sediment material with an intermediate size between sand and clay. And carried by water during the flood it forms a fertile deposit on valleys floor. The particle size of silt soil ranges from 0.002 and 0.06 mm. Silt soil is a nonplastic or low plasticity material due to its fineness.
