Permeability is a measurement of how long it takes for water to flow through a material (soil).
 If water flows through soil quickly it has high permeability. When soil is very permeable, water runs downward, due to gravity. This is also known as “percolation.” Sandy soils have large spaces between particles, so the water can move rapidly.
These soils don’t hold water well and can be too dry for plants.
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In contrast, clay soils are made of very small particles. They have tiny spaces between grains, and can hold much more water than sand. In clay soils, water is absorbed like a sponge. The spaces are so tiny, there may not be room for roots and animals to breathe oxygen.
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Loamy Soils (mix of sand, humus, and clay) are the BEST for holding water and air.

Lab Background on Soils
___________is a measurement of how long it takes for
_______ to flow through __________________.
 If water flows through quickly it has _______
____________. When soil is very permeable, water runs ______________, due to _________. This is also known as “__________”. Sandy soils have
____________pore spaces between their particles, so the water can move _____________. These
__________don’t hold water ______ and can be too
_________for plants.
 In contrast, _________soils are made of very
___________ particles. They have tiny
___________between grains, and can hold
____________water than sand can. In clay soils, the water is _____________like a sponge. The spaces are so tiny, there may not be ______________ for
_________________and animals to breathe
__________________.
 ____________________soils (mix of sand, _______, and clay) are the ___________ for holding water and air. Plants love it! 
Picture of Sand with Pore
Spaces:
Picture of Clay with Pore
Spaces: