Second Grade
Worksheets
Useful Mudpies: The Soil Squeeze Test
Kids who made mud pies when they were little might be surprised to know that mud pies show some important information about soil. People who like to get their hands dirty to figure things out can use an informal squeeze test to determine what kind of soil they have.
The squeeze test can help determine whether a soil is sand, clay, or loam. Doing a soil test might remind you of making mud pies when you were small. To do a squeeze test, grab a handful of moist soil and squeeze it. Then open up your hand. One of the following will happen to the soil.
One thing that might happen when you open your hand is that the ball will fall apart. This means that the soil is sandy. Sandy soil drains quickly. Unfortunately, this type of soil does not hold onto moisture or nutrients. Sandy soil feels gritty.
