Soil Color & Texture Guide
This Soil Color & Texture Guide helps growers identify soil color and texture. Fill it in by hand and keep it with your farm records for later seasons.
Download free PDF1 page, US Letter, prints clean in black and white
GuideCrops & AgronomyFree PDF
The steps on this page
- Gather a fresh soil sample
- Moisten soil to a workable state
- Make a soil ribbon or ball
- Compare texture to a guide
- Compare color to a color chart
- Record the texture class
- Note organic matter and stones
- Compare with a lab test
How to use this guide
Walk a new hand through the steps once, then let them use the page on their own. Add your own notes as you learn what works.
Where to check the details
This sheet is a general template, so confirm specifics with your own manuals, labels and local rules. For current official guidance, start with USDA NRCS and eXtension.
For more in this area, see the row crop calendar. Between chores, farm.FM has farm humor, including Landlord Raises Rent After Tenant Fixes Soil, and farming farm stories.