Woodbury County Soil Data

Woodbury County, Iowa

Avg pH

6.9

Texture

Silt Loam

Drainage

N/A

Organic Matter

2.9%

Hydrologic Group

N/A

Data Story

About Soil in Woodbury County, Iowa

Alkaline Soil Profiles in Woodbury

Woodbury's soil trends slightly alkaline with a pH of 6.91, which sits above the national median of 6.5. While taxonomic data remains unspecified for this region, this alkaline leaning sets it apart from Iowa’s more acidic state average of 6.43.

A Silt-Heavy Foundation

The soil features a high silt content of 56.5% and a significant clay presence of 26.7%. While specific texture classification data is limited, this silty-clay mix ensures excellent nutrient retention compared to sandier regions.

Moderate Organic Matter and High Capacity

The county boasts an available water capacity of 0.200 in/in, exceeding the state average of 0.195 in/in. Although its 2.91% organic matter exceeds the national average of 2.0%, it remains lower than the typical Iowa score of 3.81%.

Localized Drainage Observations

Official drainage and hydrologic group classifications are currently unavailable for this specific area. Gardeners should monitor local water runoff to determine how this silty profile handles heavy Iowa rains.

Hardy Growing in Zone 5a

Woodbury falls into USDA Hardiness Zone 5a, where the soil supports a robust variety of prairie plants and cool-season vegetables. Grab your trowel and start a garden with hardy crops like kale, peas, and root vegetables.

Soil Composition

Silt Loam
Sand: 16.8%
Silt: 56.5%
Clay: 26.7%
Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.9pH
6.90606059431743
Strongly AcidicSlightly AcidicNeutralSlightly AlkalineStrongly Alkaline
Ideal lawn range: 6.0 - 7.0

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: Silt Loam

O HorizonOrganic layer
0-2"
A HorizonTopsoil
2-10"
B HorizonSubsoil
10-30"
C HorizonParent material
30-60"
R HorizonBedrock
60"+

Typical soil profile. Actual depths vary by location.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of soil does Woodbury County have?

Woodbury County's soil is classified as Silt Loam. This indicates the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay — 17% sand, 56% silt, and 27% clay. Loamy soils hold moisture well and support a wide range of plants.

Is Woodbury County's soil acidic or alkaline?

Woodbury County's soil has a pH of 6.9, which is near neutral. This range is ideal for most garden plants and field crops.

What is the drainage class for Woodbury County?

Drainage class data is not currently available for Woodbury County.

What crops or plants grow well in Woodbury County's soil?

Based on Woodbury County's Silt Loam texture, pH of 6.9, and drainage class, the soil is well suited for vegetables, grains, and most field crops, row crops and vegetable gardens.

What USDA soil order is found in Woodbury County?

The dominant USDA soil order for Woodbury County is not currently available in our dataset.

Other Counties in Iowa

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.