What type of soil retains moisture but is not as prone to nutrient leaching?

Silt loam is considered to be the type of soil that retains moisture effectively while also being less prone to nutrient leaching. This is due to its balanced texture, which consists of a mix of silt and a smaller proportion of sand and clay. The fine particles in silt loam are good at holding onto moisture, allowing for better water retention compared to sandy soils, which drain quickly and do not hold moisture well.

Additionally, silt loam has a good capacity to retain nutrients, making them available to plants while minimizing the risk of these nutrients being washed away (leached) during heavy rains or irrigation. The particle size of silt allows for sufficient pore space to capture water and nutrients, unlike heavier clay soils which can be prone to waterlogging or overly draining sandy soils that fail to retain essential nutrients effectively.

In contrast, while peat soils also retain moisture well, they can develop an acidic environment and may not be suitable for all plant types. Clay tends to retain moisture but can also lead to nutrient leaching due to slow drainage if it becomes waterlogged. Sand, on the other hand, drains too quickly and does not retain nutrients or moisture effectively. All these factors combined make silt loam the best option for