Tallapoosa County Soil Data
Tallapoosa County, Alabama
Avg pH
5.2
Texture
Sandy Loam
Drainage
N/A
Organic Matter
1.4%
Hydrologic Group
N/A
Data Story
About Soil in Tallapoosa County, Alabama
Tallapoosa soil matches state pH benchmarks
Tallapoosa County soil is acidic with a pH of 5.23, which aligns closely with the Alabama state average of 5.21. This is significantly more acidic than the national median of 6.5, influencing which nutrients are available to plants.
Light sandy texture warms quickly
The profile is heavily sandy at 59.8%, with 24.0% silt and 14.0% clay making up the rest. This high sand content results in a light, workable soil that warms up quickly in the spring sun.
Building organic matter is essential here
The county shows just 1.38% organic matter compared to the 1.74% state average. An available water capacity of 0.126 in/in also falls short of the state’s 0.138 in/in average, necessitating soil amendments.
Sandy composition indicates rapid infiltration
The nearly 60% sand composition indicates rapid drainage and low water retention. This leads to a lower soil score of 14.4, which is notably below the state average of 22.5.
Perfect for heat-loving okra and melons
Hardiness Zone 8a is ideal for heat-loving crops like okra and watermelon that thrive in well-aerated soil. Focusing on cover crops will help build up the organic matter needed to improve your soil's overall productivity.
Soil Composition
Soil pH
Soil Series
Detailed soil series data not yet available for this county.
Hydrologic Group
Hydrologic group data not available.
Drainage Class
Drainage class data not available.
Soil Profile
Dominant texture: Sandy Loam
Typical soil profile. Actual depths vary by location.
USDA Soil Orders
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of soil does Tallapoosa County have?
Tallapoosa County's soil is classified as Sandy Loam. This indicates the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay — 60% sand, 24% silt, and 14% clay. Loamy soils hold moisture well and support a wide range of plants.
Is Tallapoosa County's soil acidic or alkaline?
Tallapoosa County's soil has a low pH of 5.2, which is strongly acidic. Acidic soils benefit from lime applications to raise pH and improve nutrient availability.
What is the drainage class for Tallapoosa County?
Drainage class data is not currently available for Tallapoosa County.
What crops or plants grow well in Tallapoosa County's soil?
Based on Tallapoosa County's Sandy Loam texture, pH of 5.2, and drainage class, the soil is well suited for acid-loving plants like blueberries and azaleas, row crops and vegetable gardens.
What USDA soil order is found in Tallapoosa County?
The dominant USDA soil order for Tallapoosa County is not currently available in our dataset.
Planning your lawn? View lawn care data for Tallapoosa County on LawnByCounty.com →
Other Counties in Alabama
Soil data sourced from USDA SSURGO via Soil Data Access. Data is informational only and should not be used as a substitute for on-site soil testing. Contact your local NRCS office for site-specific soil information.