Sandy Loam & Fine Sandy Loam Soils
Available Water Capacity 1.3–1.7" / ft
Percent Available: Currently available soil moisture as a percent
of available water capacity.
Depleted: Inches of water currently needed to refill a foot of
soil to field capacity.
0-25% available; 1.7" - 1.0" / ft. depleted
(not pictured)
Dry, forms a very weak ball, aggregated soil grains break away easily from ball.
25-50% available; 1.3" - 0.7" / ft. depleted
Slightly moist, forms a very weak ball with defined finger marks, no water staining on fingers, grains break away.
50-75% available; 0.9" - 0.3" / ft. depleted
Moist, forms a ball with defined finger marks, very light soil/water staining on fingers, darkened color, will not stick.
75-100% available; 0.4" - 0.0" / ft. depleted
Wet, forms a ball with wet outline left on hand, light to medium staining on fingers, makes a weak ribbon between the thumb and forefinger.
100% available; 0.0" / ft. depleted (field capacity)
(not pictured)
Wet, forms a soft ball, free water appears briefly on soil surface after squeezing or shaking, medium to heavy soil/water coating on fingers.