Hieskivi

Hieskivi is a Finnish term referring to a specific type of soil. It translates to "sandy loam" or "loam soil" in English, indicating a soil texture composed of a mixture of sand, silt, and clay. The proportion of these components gives hieskivi its characteristic properties. Typically, it contains a significant amount of sand, which contributes to good drainage, but also enough silt and clay to retain moisture and nutrients. This balance makes hieskivi a fertile and workable soil type, often favored in agriculture.

The physical properties of hieskivi mean it is neither as heavy and waterlogged as clay soil nor as light and fast-draining as pure sand. It generally has a crumbly structure when moist and can be compacted to some extent. Its color can vary depending on the organic matter content and mineral composition, but it often appears brown or grayish-brown. In its natural state, hieskivi supports a diverse range of plant life due to its balanced availability of water, air, and nutrients. Finnish agricultural practices have historically utilized hieskivi for growing various crops.