Take temperature readings at different times throughout the day at the same location. To compare with soil temperatures for areas in direct sun, just repeat using the same procedure but select an area that gets full sun. You will note that the soil temperatures in these areas are typically much higher than in the shaded areas. Soil Texture Sandy soil absorbs more than two inches of water per hour. It is very porous, with large spaces between soil particles.
Little water is retained and the sandy soil dries out quickly.
Loam soil absorbs from .25 inches to 2 inches per hour. The soil is loose and porous and holds water quite well. Clay soil absorbs less than .25 inches of water per hour. Clay soil is dense with few air spaces between particles and holds water so tightly that little water is available for plants. It can be argued that no two soils are ever exactly alike.