One of the most important first steps in natural building is learning your soil composition so that you know what you’re working with. Dig a hole in a place you’re curious about. Be sure to dig down past any living topsoil. Fill a clear jar about 1/3 full with the subsoil. Fill almost to the top with water. Shake and let settle for 24 hours. Sand settles within the first few minutes, then silt, then clay. Measure the layers to see the ratio of these materials in your soil.