Marshall County Soil Data
Marshall County, Minnesota
USDA SSURGO / PHZMAvg pH
6.5
Texture
Loam
Drainage
N/A
Organic Matter
18.4%
Hydrologic Group
N/A
Data Story
About Soil in Marshall County, Minnesota
The Gold Standard of Soil
Marshall County features a pH of 6.52, aligning almost perfectly with the national median of 6.5. This neutral acidity is a hallmark of elite agricultural land. It provides the optimal chemical environment for nutrient solubility and microbial activity.
Light Texture with High Performance
The soil is sand-dominant at 48.8%, with 30.5% silt and a low 13.6% clay. This light texture allows for incredible workability and prevents the drainage issues common in heavier soils. Despite the high sand, the soil remains extremely productive due to its other components.
Exceptional Organic Wealth
Marshall County's organic matter is a staggering 18.42%, nearly double the already-high Minnesota average of 9.90%. This massive organic load creates an available water capacity of 0.209 in/in. It is no surprise the county earns a near-perfect soil score of 94.6.
Superior Hydrologic Balance
The high sand content suggests very efficient drainage, yet the massive organic matter levels keep the soil from drying out too fast. This rare combination provides a 'best of both worlds' scenario for land management. It handles heavy rains and dry spells with equal grace.
Productive Giants in Zone 3b
Despite the cold 3b hardiness zone, the soil supports world-class yields of wheat, sugar beets, and potatoes. The high organic content acts as a natural buffer against the short growing season. Gardeners can grow almost anything here as long as it fits the frost-free window.
Soil Composition
Soil pH
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: Loam
Typical soil profile. Actual depths vary by location.
USDA Soil Orders
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Browse Soil AmendmentsFrequently Asked Questions
What type of soil does Marshall County have?
Marshall County's soil is classified as Loam. This indicates the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay — 49% sand, 31% silt, and 14% clay. Loamy soils hold moisture well and support a wide range of plants.
Is Marshall County's soil acidic or alkaline?
Marshall County's soil has a pH of 6.5, which is near neutral. This range is ideal for most garden plants and field crops.
What is the drainage class for Marshall County?
Drainage class data is not currently available for Marshall County.
What crops or plants grow well in Marshall County's soil?
Based on Marshall County's Loam texture, pH of 6.5, 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 Marshall County?
The dominant USDA soil order for Marshall County is not currently available in our dataset.
Soil & Planting Advisory: Marshall County
Soil Verdict
Marshall County is in USDA hardiness zone 3b, a very cold climate zone. where winter lows can reach -35°F. Soils here experience deep freeze cycles that can disrupt structure, kill shallow roots, and slow microbial activity for months each year.
Planting Guidance
Focus on cold-hardy perennials, native grasses, and conifers. The short growing window favors plants with low heat requirements. With extreme winter lows, any marginally hardy plants need heavy mulch and wind protection. Always match plant selections to the specific microclimate of your property — low spots, slopes, and wind exposure can shift effective hardiness by half a zone.
Soil Implications
Deep winter freezing can create soil heaving that pushes shallow-rooted plants out of the ground; add 3-4 inches of organic mulch each fall. Soil drainage is critical — frozen, waterlogged soil kills roots faster than cold alone. When soil temperatures drop below freezing, microbial nitrogen cycling stops; spring fertilization is more effective than late-fall application.
Regional Context
Marshall County is somewhat cooler than the Minnesota statewide average. The zone range of 3b-4a within the county means soil and planting decisions should account for local elevation and topography.
Planning your lawn? View lawn care data for Marshall County on LawnByCounty.com →
Other Counties in Minnesota
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.