What is a characteristic of sandy loam soil?

Sandy loam soil is characterized by its texture, which consists of a balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay. One of its notable features is how it interacts with moisture and clay content. When you handle sandy loam, it will not usually leave a significant stain on your fingers when wet, but it may leave a slight smudge due to the fine particles present. This subtle staining indicates the presence of silt and clay in conjunction with the larger sand particles.

The presence of these finer particles contributes to sandy loam's favorable drainage and aeration properties while providing enough cohesion to allow for some binding without being overly sticky. Therefore, the ability to slightly stain fingers is a reliable indicator of its sandy loam composition compared to other soil types that might have more pronounced staining or a different feel.