loam
LOHM
A soil composed of roughly equal parts sand, silt, and clay — the ideal balance for most plant growth. Loam drains well but holds moisture, resists compaction but holds its shape, and is easy to work with a shovel or a hand. It is what gardeners mean when they say "good soil." The word carries a warmth that technical soil classifications don't — it sounds like what it feels like between your fingers.
Etymology
Old English lām, meaning clay or earth. Related to loam in Dutch and Lehm in German. The word has been in English for over a thousand years and has always meant the good stuff.
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