Navlet's Garden Centers | "How To" Archive

Gather Your Tools
Gather a shovel or hand trowel, a coffee can (with the top and bottom removed), a level, and a ruler.

Dig a Hole
Dig a hole to accommodate two-thirds of the coffee can; set the can on the floor of the hole. Pack the soil tightly around the outer edge of the can.

Level the Soil
Use a level to ensure that the can is evenly set in the hole. Fill the can to the top with water.

Measure the Water
After waiting an hour, measure the drop of the water level in inches.

Here's what the numbers indicate:
0-1 inches–poor drainage
2-4 inches–normal drainage
5 plus inches–excessive or fast-draining soil.


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Navlet's "How To" Archive

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"How To" Archive

How to Do a Soil Drainage Test

Testing the draining ability of your soil is an essential step toward understanding your garden's needs! Knowing how well your soil drains will allow you to customize the care of your plants.