Which soil texture generally has the best drainage?

Sand generally has the best drainage among soil textures due to its large particle size and the resulting large pores. This structure allows water to flow through it more easily compared to finer-textured soils. In sandy soils, the greater distances between soil particles mean that there is less opportunity for water to be held, leading to faster drainage rates.

In contrast, clay soils, with their tiny particles and compact nature, retain moisture and drain slowly. Silt, while having better drainage than clay, still holds more water than sand due to its smaller particle size and ability to form capillary spaces. Loam, which is a mixture of sand, silt, and clay, offers balanced drainage properties but is not as efficient as sand in terms of water movement. Thus, when considering drainage capabilities, sand stands out as the soil texture that promotes the quickest and most effective drainage of water.