• Step one: Dig a hole in the garden 12 inches deep and wide. • Step two: Fill the hole with water. • Step three: Fill the hole with water again the next day.  • Step four: The water should drain within eight hours. If it takes any longer, then the soil has a drainage problem.  • Step five: The rate at which the water drains can give you some insight about your soil. If the water drains 4 inches in an hour, the soil is likely sandy. If the water drains less than 1 inch an hour, this could mean the soil is compacted or is heavy clay.