Morehouse Parish Soil Data
Morehouse Parish, Louisiana
Avg pH
5.2
Texture
Muck
Drainage
Poorly drained
Organic Matter
3.2%
Hydrologic Group
A
Data Story
About Soil in Morehouse Parish, Louisiana
Acidic Histosols of the Delta
Morehouse Parish is dominated by Histosols, featuring a highly acidic pH of 5.22. This is much lower than the national median of 6.5 and even falls below the Louisiana state average of 5.74.
Mucky Silt with High Retention
With a dominant texture of muck and a high silt content of 54.9%, this soil is exceptionally fine-grained. The 24.4% clay content helps with nutrient retention, though the high silt can make the ground slippery when wet.
Rich in Water and Carbon
Organic matter measures 3.18%, which beats the national average of 2.0% but stays below the state's 6.38% benchmark. Its available water capacity of 0.198 in/in is higher than the state average, offering excellent drought resistance.
Poorly Drained but Highly Permeable
The soil is classified as poorly drained, yet it belongs to hydrologic group A, suggesting high infiltration rates when not saturated. This combination creates unique challenges for building foundations but offers great potential for wetland-adapted crops.
Garden Success in Zone 8b
Blueberries and azaleas thrive in this naturally acidic soil environment. In Zone 8b, gardeners should focus on acid-loving plants or apply lime to raise the pH for traditional vegetable patches.
Soil Composition
Soil pH
Soil Series
Detailed soil series data not yet available for this county.
Hydrologic Group
Group A — Low Runoff
Sandy, well-drained soils with high infiltration rates. Water moves quickly through the soil profile. Lowest runoff potential when thoroughly wetted.
Drainage Class
Poorly drained
Water is removed so slowly that the soil is wet at or near the surface much of the year. Drainage improvement usually needed.
Soil Profile
Dominant texture: Muck
Typical soil profile. Actual depths vary by location.
USDA Soil Orders
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of soil does Morehouse Parish have?
Morehouse Parish's soil is classified as Muck. This indicates the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay — 18% sand, 55% silt, and 24% clay. Sandy soils drain quickly but may need more frequent irrigation and fertilization.
Is Morehouse Parish's soil acidic or alkaline?
Morehouse Parish'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 Morehouse Parish?
Morehouse Parish has a dominant drainage class of "Poorly drained." Poorly drained soils retain water for extended periods, which can limit crop choices and may require tile drainage or raised beds.
What crops or plants grow well in Morehouse Parish's soil?
Based on Morehouse Parish's Muck texture, pH of 5.2, and Poorly drained, the soil is well suited for acid-loving plants like blueberries and azaleas, rice, cranberries, and other water-tolerant species.
What USDA soil order is found in Morehouse Parish?
Morehouse Parish's dominant soil order is Histosols. Histosols are organic soils (peatlands and bogs) with very high organic matter content. They form in wet, poorly drained environments.
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Other Counties in Louisiana
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.