Johnson County Soil Data

Johnson County, Kansas

Avg pH

6.3

Texture

Silt Loam

Drainage

N/A

Organic Matter

2.9%

Hydrologic Group

N/A

Data Story

About Soil in Johnson County, Kansas

Acidity Favors Local Landscapes

The average pH in Johnson County is 6.35, which is slightly lower than the national median of 6.5. This slight acidity is generally favorable for suburban gardening and many regional landscape plants.

High Silt, Low Sand Mix

This soil is very heavy in silt at 60.0%, with 25.6% clay and only 13.5% sand. Such high silt levels produce a fine-textured soil that is excellent at holding onto essential plant nutrients.

Exceptional Organic Content

Fertility is high with organic matter at 2.87%, well above the state average of 2.22%. The available water capacity of 0.195 in/in also beats the Kansas benchmark, indicating resilient and productive soil.

Heavy Soil Considerations

While local drainage class data is limited, the high silt-to-sand ratio typically results in slower permeability. Gardeners may need to add organic amendments to improve aeration in these dense, nutrient-rich soils.

Thriving in Zone 6b

Hardiness zone 6b allows for a wide variety of ornamental plants and food crops to flourish here. Your Johnson County yard is naturally fertile, so get out and start planting this season.

Soil Composition

Silt Loam
Sand: 13.5%
Silt: 60.0%
Clay: 25.6%
Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3pH
6.34930276386114
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 Johnson County have?

Johnson County's soil is classified as Silt Loam. This indicates the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay — 13% sand, 60% silt, and 26% clay. Loamy soils hold moisture well and support a wide range of plants.

Is Johnson County's soil acidic or alkaline?

Johnson County's soil has a pH of 6.3, which is moderately acidic. This range suits many crops and is common across much of the eastern US.

What is the drainage class for Johnson County?

Drainage class data is not currently available for Johnson County.

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

Based on Johnson County's Silt Loam texture, pH of 6.3, 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 Johnson County?

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

Other Counties in Kansas

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.