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Materials:
1) 2-4 cups each of several soil types (sand, loam, clay, etc.)
2) aluminum Pans ( 2 or 3)
3) large funnel
4) large measuring cup
5) scissors
6) water
7) 1/2 Gallon plastic milk carton (a 2 liter soda bottle works also), one for each soil
sample
Before you Start:
1) Put many very small holes at the bottom of your empty milk jug. ( A jug for each
sample) Make sure you cut the top off of your jug.
2) Get your samples of dirt.
3) Fill your jug half way to the top with your soil. Be sure to put the same amount of the
different soils in each jug. Label your soil types.
Now it's time for your
experiment:
1) Hold the jug of soil over an aluminum pan and very, very slowly pour a measured amount
of water on the soil allowing the soil to soak up the water.
2) Now collect the drainage of the water in the aluminum pan and slowly pour it back
through the soil. Measure the amount of water that drained through. Subtract from the
original amout to calculate how much water the soil absorbed. Record your results
3) Repeat the process with several types of soils. Which soil holds the most water? The
least? Why is this important to know?
4) Test your local soil. Send us the results. (See the Visitors' Page)