Mason jar soil layers — plain-language read
Enter approximate % sand / silt / clay from a settled mason jar (or pick a preset). You get a calm read: drainage, what to amend, crop matches, and what the jar test does not tell you (pH, contaminants, fertility). No account. No email. Runs in your browser.
Honest limit: for food gardens on unknown urban lots, follow the jar with a basic Extension / lab soil test. Texture is only one layer of the story.
Jar layers (approx. %)
After 24 hours: sand at the bottom, silt in the middle, clay on top (often cloudy). Estimate height of each layer as % of the soil column — not the water.
Settles in minutes — gritty layer at bottom.
Settles in hours — smoother middle band.
Settles overnight — finest top layer.
Sum: 100% — good.
Your place & year-one plan
Balcony-only stays free / potting mix — soft CTA stays off.
Weekend-miracle intent keeps the soft CTA off.
Planning this year (soft CTA wants all three on a yard+ space):