If the soil holds together without packing densely, it’s just right. It means the soil is slightly moist, and forms a weak ball with rough surfaces, no water staining on fingers, and a few soil grains break away. If the soil crumbles apart when you open your fingers, it’s too dry. When it’s too wet, it forms a ball with well-defined finger marks, light to heavy soil/water coating on fingers, ribbons between thumb and forefinger.