Fertile soil

Archive answer — August 13, 2026

18 Across

Scroll down for the rest of the crossword answers

Clue explained

“LOAM” is the published 4-letter fill for 18 Across. Use the crossing letters in the grid below to verify how it fits.

Clue type:
Crossword fill

Guardian Quick Crossword

This clue’s Thursday, August 13, 2026 appearance

Tap a square to reveal or hide a letter.

Crossword solution grid

Select a square to hide or reveal its letter in the 13 by 13 crossword grid.

Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.

Across

10 clues
  1. 5Likely
  2. 8Sound of an engine running smoothly
  3. 9Unsophisticated – shop menu (anag)
  4. 10Fancy – idea
  5. 11Waste water
  6. 13Remains of a loaf?
  7. 15Edge-of-town neighbourhood
  8. 16Carefully assess
  9. 18Fertile soilLOAM
  10. 19Unwilling

Down

10 clues
  1. 1Concern for others
  2. 2Scottish novelist and 1st Baron Tweedsmuir – John ___
  3. 3Acid test indicator
  4. 4They’re given to those in need
  5. 6Collector’s signature
  6. 7One has money but no taste
  7. 12Shaking like a jelly
  8. 14Blunder
  9. 15Marlowe or Marple, for instance
  10. 17Felt regret

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Every clue links to a dedicated answer page. Use the list below to scan the complete fill without opening the interactive board.

Across

  1. 5. Likely

    Answer: PLAUSIBLE

  2. 8. Sound of an engine running smoothly

    Answer: PURR

  3. 9. Unsophisticated – shop menu (anag)

    Answer: HOMESPUN

  4. 10. Fancy – idea

    Answer: NOTION

  5. 11. Waste water

    Answer: SEWAGE

  6. 13. Remains of a loaf?

    Answer: CRUMBS

  7. 15. Edge-of-town neighbourhood

    Answer: SUBURB

  8. 16. Carefully assess

    Answer: APPRAISE

  9. 18. Fertile soil

    Answer: LOAM

  10. 19. Unwilling

    Answer: RELUCTANT

Down

  1. 1. Concern for others

    Answer: ALTRUISM

  2. 2. Scottish novelist and 1st Baron Tweedsmuir – John ___

    Answer: BUCHAN

  3. 3. Acid test indicator

    Answer: LITMUS

  4. 4. They’re given to those in need

    Answer: ALMS

  5. 6. Collector’s signature

    Answer: AUTOGRAPH

  6. 7. One has money but no taste

    Answer: VULGARIAN

  7. 12. Shaking like a jelly

    Answer: WOBBLING

  8. 14. Blunder

    Answer: SLIPUP

  9. 15. Marlowe or Marple, for instance

    Answer: SLEUTH

  10. 17. Felt regret

    Answer: RUED

The answer to “Fertile soil” in the Guardian Quick Crossword is LOAM — a 4-letter word. It appears in our available data for August 13, 2026 at 18-Across. Below you can reveal the fill one letter at a time, check the full puzzle, and open every related clue page.

“Fertile soil” answer

LOAM(4 letters)

Prefer a nudge first? Use the letter tiles above to hide and reveal individual characters, or use the focused grid to confirm the crossing letters.

Why does LOAM fit?

LOAM is the published 4-letter answer at 18-Across. The highlighted path in the puzzle shows exactly where the entry sits.

When else has “Fertile soil” appeared?

The same clue can return on another date, sometimes with a different fill. These are the matching appearances in the recent published records available through the Answers API.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Fertile soil”?

The answer is LOAM.

How many letters are in the answer?

4 letters: LOAM.

When did this clue appear?

It appears in the Guardian Quick Crossword for August 13, 2026 at 18-Across.

Can this clue have a different answer?

Yes. Crossword clues may be reused with a different fill depending on the grid. Recent matching appearances are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day’s answers?

Open the Guardian Quick answers page for August 13, 2026 for the full grid and every clue.

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