Olmsted County Soil Data
Olmsted County, Minnesota
USDA SSURGO / PHZMAvg pH
6.4
Texture
Loam
Drainage
N/A
Organic Matter
3.8%
Hydrologic Group
N/A
Data Story
About Soil in Olmsted County, Minnesota
The Gold Standard for pH
Olmsted County has an average soil pH of 6.45, almost perfectly matching the national median of 6.5. This makes the local soil chemically balanced for a wide array of gardening and farming applications.
Silty Texture for Moisture Control
The soil is heavy on silt at 46.7%, mixed with 34.1% sand and 18.9% clay. This silty composition makes the ground smooth to the touch and very effective at holding onto moisture and nutrients.
Sufficient Water for Crucial Months
Organic matter is 3.83%, which exceeds the national average of 2.0% but is lower than the state benchmark. The available water capacity is 0.190 in/in, ensuring that plants have access to water during the crucial growing months.
Moderate Drainage for Root Health
Limited drainage data suggests that the high silt content likely facilitates moderate drainage rates. This quality provides a stable environment for roots that dislike both bone-dry sand and standing water.
Thriving Perennials in Zone 4b
Hardiness Zone 4b supports a variety of perennials and hardy shrubs that thrive in the county's 76.0-rated soil. There is no better time than now to take advantage of this balanced ground and start your garden.
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
Soil Amendment Products
Browse products to improve your soil health and lawn performance.
Browse Soil AmendmentsFrequently Asked Questions
What type of soil does Olmsted County have?
Olmsted County's soil is classified as Loam. This indicates the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay — 34% sand, 47% silt, and 19% clay. Loamy soils hold moisture well and support a wide range of plants.
Is Olmsted County's soil acidic or alkaline?
Olmsted County's soil has a pH of 6.4, which is moderately acidic. This range suits many crops and is common across much of the eastern US.
What is the drainage class for Olmsted County?
Drainage class data is not currently available for Olmsted County.
What crops or plants grow well in Olmsted County's soil?
Based on Olmsted County's Loam texture, pH of 6.4, 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 Olmsted County?
The dominant USDA soil order for Olmsted County is not currently available in our dataset.
Soil & Planting Advisory: Olmsted County
Soil Verdict
Olmsted County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b, a cold climate zone. where winter lows can reach -25°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
Olmsted County closely matches the Minnesota average hardiness conditions.
Planning your lawn? View lawn care data for Olmsted 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.