St. Martin Parish Soil Data

St. Martin Parish, Louisiana

Avg pH

6.1

Texture

Silty Clay Loam

Drainage

N/A

Organic Matter

3.1%

Hydrologic Group

N/A

Data Story

About Soil in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana

St. Martin's Balanced Acidic Profile

The parish maintains a pH of 6.10, sitting closer to the national median of 6.5 than most of Louisiana. This makes the soil less acidic than the state average of 5.74, reducing the need for heavy lime applications.

A Silty Mix with Clay Body

Composition consists of 54.4% silt and 33.7% clay, making it a dense and moisture-retentive medium. With only 10.6% sand, these soils are naturally fertile but require careful timing for tilling.

Strong Organic Content for Crops

Organic matter is healthy at 3.15%, well above the national average of 2.0%. Combined with an available water capacity of 0.186 in/in, these soils provide a stable reservoir of nutrients and moisture for local agriculture.

High Clay Leads to Slow Drainage

The 33.7% clay content indicates that water moves slowly through these soils compared to sandier parishes. Proper grading is essential for residential building to prevent ponding in backyards.

Grow Year-Round in Zone 9a

The mild climate of zone 9a and a soil score of 64.1 create a highly productive environment for citrus and sugarcane. Grab some seeds and take advantage of this above-average Louisiana soil.

Soil Composition

Silty Clay Loam
Sand: 10.6%
Silt: 54.4%
Clay: 33.7%
Silty Clay Loam

Soil pH

6.1pH
6.10473157639472
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: Silty Clay 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 St. Martin Parish have?

St. Martin Parish's soil is classified as Silty Clay Loam. This indicates the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay — 11% sand, 54% silt, and 34% clay. Loamy soils hold moisture well and support a wide range of plants.

Is St. Martin Parish's soil acidic or alkaline?

St. Martin Parish's soil has a pH of 6.1, which is moderately acidic. This range suits many crops and is common across much of the eastern US.

What is the drainage class for St. Martin Parish?

Drainage class data is not currently available for St. Martin Parish.

What crops or plants grow well in St. Martin Parish's soil?

Based on St. Martin Parish's Silty Clay Loam texture, pH of 6.1, 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 St. Martin Parish?

The dominant USDA soil order for St. Martin Parish is not currently available in our dataset.

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.