Attachment 2 - 35 20 23 CLEMSON JAR TEST.pdf

CLEMSON JAR TEST

Soil Texture Analysis “The Jar Test” Procedure

Materials:

Straight edged, clear jar

Permanent marker

Ruler

Watch or stop watch

1 tablespoon of powdered dishwashing detergent

Mesh sieve or old colander

Procedure:

Jar filled a ⅓ of the way full with soil.

Andrew Jeffers, ©2018, Clemson Extension

1. Using a mesh sieve or old colander, sift the soil to remove any debris, rocks, and large organic matter (leaves, sticks, roots, etc.).

2. Fill the jar ⅓ full of the soil to be tested

Jar filled with water, leaving space at top.

Andrew “Drew” Jeffers, ©2018, Clemson Extension

3. Fill the remainder of the jar with clean water, but leave some space at the top.

Jar showing the coarse sand layer settled at the bottom of the jar.

4. Add 1 tablespoon of powdered dishwashing detergent

5. Cap the jar and shake vigorously until the soil turns into a uniform slurry.

6. Set on a level surface and time for one minute.

7. Place a mark the outside of the jar, showing the coarse sand layer settled at the bottom of the jar.

Jar showing the silt layer.

8. Leave the jar in a level spot for 2 hours.

9. Mark the top of the next settled layer with the permanent marker. This is the silt layer.

Jar showing the clay layer.

10. Leave the jar on a level spot for 48 hours.

11. Mark the top of the next settled layer with the permanent marker. This is the clay layer that has settled on top of the silt layer.

Using a ruler, measure and record the height of each layer, and the total height of all three layers.

12. Using a ruler, measure and record the height of each layer, and the total height of all three layers. Use the soil texture analysis worksheet below to record results.

1.

Soil texture triangle to estimate the soil type for the site

Use the soil texture triangle to estimate the soil type for the site.

2. The clay percentages are listed on the left side of the triangle. Lines corresponding to clay percentages extend from the percentages reading left to right (see red line).

3. The silt percentage is on the right side, with lines extending downwardly, diagonally right to left (see green line).

4. The sand percentage is on the right side, with lines extending upwardly, diagonally right to left (see blue line).

5. Track the lines with the percentages measured and find the spot on the triangle where all three lines intersect. The region where these lines intersect indicates the soil type present. The example shown represents a loam soil texture.

Most soils in South Carolina will require some form of organic amendments. Adding organic matter to clay and sandy soil can help with:

Nutrient holding capacity

Improved drainage

Reducing compaction

For more information on amending soils, see HGIC 1655, Soil Conditioning – Establishing a

Successful Gardening Foundation.

Soil Texture Analysis “The Jar Test” Worksheet

Soil texture triangle to estimate the soil type for the site

Measurements

Height of sand layer ________inches / cm

Height of silt layer ________inches / cm

Height of clay layer ________inches / cm

TOTAL HEIGHT OF LAYERS ________inches / cm

% SAND=(sand height)/(total height) x 100 =___________ % SAND

% SILT=(silt height)/(total height) x 100 =____________ % SILT

If this document didn’t answer your questions, please contact HGIC at hgic@clemson.edu or 1-

888-656-9988.

Author(s)

Andrew "Drew" Jeffers, Spartanburg Cooperative Extension, Horticulture and Natural

Resource Agent, Clemson University

This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement of brand names or registered trademarks by the Clemson University Cooperative

Extension Service is implied, nor is any discrimination intended by the exclusion of products or manufacturers not named. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. Use pesticides only according to the directions on the label. All recommendations for pesticide use are for South Carolina only and were legal at the time of publication, but the status of registration and use patterns are subject to change by action of state and federal regulatory agencies. Follow all directions, precautions and restrictions that are listed.