San Francisco County Soil Data
San Francisco County, California
Avg pH
N/A
Texture
Unknown
Drainage
N/A
Organic Matter
N/A
Hydrologic Group
N/A
Data Story
About Soil in San Francisco County, California
Urban Soils of the Peninsula
Detailed soil taxonomy and pH levels are unavailable for this highly urbanized county. Much of the surface layer consists of modified urban fill and historic sand dunes. Testing is recommended to see how your urban plot compares to the national 6.5 pH median.
Sandy Foundations and Urban Fill
Numerical data for silt and clay percentages is not currently on record for the city. Most San Francisco soils are naturally sandy, leading to rapid drainage and very low nutrient retention. This coarse texture means you will likely need to water and fertilize more frequently.
Boosting Organic Matter in the City
There is no specific data for organic matter or water capacity for the city's soils. To match the state's 3.30% organic matter benchmark, urban gardeners typically rely on compost and raised beds. Adding organic material is the best way to turn sandy fill into a productive garden.
Managing High Permeability
While a dominant hydrologic group is not assigned, the sandy nature of the peninsula implies high permeability. You must manage water use carefully to keep nutrients from leaching through the porous ground. Strategic planting can help stabilize sandy soil and prevent runoff in hilly neighborhoods.
Cool-Season Gems in Zone 10b
San Francisco's Zone 10b is famous for its unique 'fog belt' gardening conditions. Focus on cool-season crops like kale, chard, and fuchsias that thrive in the city's maritime air. Start a small container garden today to enjoy fresh greens year-round.
Soil Composition
Composition data not available for this county.
Soil pH
pH data not available for this county.
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: Unknown
Typical soil profile. Actual depths vary by location.
USDA Soil Orders
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of soil does San Francisco County have?
San Francisco County's soil is classified as Unknown. This indicates the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay — sand percentage unavailable, silt percentage unavailable, and clay percentage unavailable. Sandy soils drain quickly but may need more frequent irrigation and fertilization.
Is San Francisco County's soil acidic or alkaline?
pH data is not available for San Francisco County.
What is the drainage class for San Francisco County?
Drainage class data is not currently available for San Francisco County.
What crops or plants grow well in San Francisco County's soil?
Based on San Francisco County's Unknown texture, soil pH, and drainage class, the soil is well suited for a variety of crops depending on local conditions.
What USDA soil order is found in San Francisco County?
The dominant USDA soil order for San Francisco County is not currently available in our dataset.
Planning your lawn? View lawn care data for San Francisco County on LawnByCounty.com →
Other Counties in California
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.