They all water to drain readily and tend to be low in nutrients. Clay soils consist of very small, tightly packed soil particles, clays tend to be dense and hard to work. However, they are generally rich in nutrients, have a high water-holding capacity, and can be very productive. Loamy soils are composed of many different sized soil particles, they combine fertility and moisture-holding capacity with good drainage. Easier to work than clays and better consolidated than sands, loamy soils make an excellent medium for growing most plants.
Many wildflowers do best in loam soils.
Take just enough moist soil to rub between the thumb and fingers. Rub it back and forth several times and feel it very carefully. A clay soil will be slick and smooth, with little or no grittiness. A sandy soil will be gritty and will not stick together well. A loamy soil will stick together easily, but not like a clay.