Buffalo County Soil Data
Buffalo County, South Dakota
USDA SSURGO / PHZMAvg pH
N/A
Texture
Unknown
Drainage
N/A
Organic Matter
N/A
Hydrologic Group
N/A
Data Story
About Soil in Buffalo County, South Dakota
A Foundation for Native Growth
Buffalo County lacks specific pH and taxonomic data in current records, but it sits within a region known for slightly alkaline soils. The state average pH of 7.05 is a reliable starting point for understanding local nutrient availability. These soils have supported robust prairie ecosystems for centuries.
Texture and Workability Basics
Precise composition data for sand, silt, and clay is currently unavailable for this area. Most soils in this part of South Dakota lean toward a silty or loamy texture, providing a good balance for plant roots. Knowing your soil's texture is the first step in successful irrigation and fertilization.
Striving for State Benchmarks
While specific organic matter data is missing, the state average of 3.75% is the goal for a healthy, productive garden. Increasing your soil's organic content will help it reach or exceed the state’s available water capacity average of 0.182 in/in. This makes your land more resilient to the unpredictable Dakota weather.
Managing Water on the Prairie
There are no specific drainage or hydrologic group records available for Buffalo County in this set. Gardeners and builders should look for signs of standing water or rapid drying to understand their site's unique hydrology. Proper drainage is essential for both healthy crops and stable building foundations.
Cold-Hardy Gardening in Zone 4b
In Zone 4b, your garden will thrive with cold-tolerant vegetables like cabbage, kale, and onions. Focus on building up your soil's health with local organic materials to maximize its growing potential. Buffalo County offers a great environment for those who enjoy the challenge of northern plains gardening.
Soil Composition
Composition data not available for this county.
Soil pH
pH data not available for this county.
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: Unknown
Typical soil profile. Actual depths vary by location.
USDA Soil Orders
Soil Amendment Products
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Browse Soil AmendmentsFrequently Asked Questions
What type of soil does Buffalo County have?
Buffalo County's soil is classified as Unknown. This indicates the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay — sand percentage unavailable, silt percentage unavailable, and clay percentage unavailable. Sandy soils drain quickly but may need more frequent irrigation and fertilization.
Is Buffalo County's soil acidic or alkaline?
pH data is not available for Buffalo County.
What is the drainage class for Buffalo County?
Drainage class data is not currently available for Buffalo County.
What crops or plants grow well in Buffalo County's soil?
Based on Buffalo County's Unknown texture, soil pH, and drainage class, the soil is well suited for a variety of crops depending on local conditions.
What USDA soil order is found in Buffalo County?
The dominant USDA soil order for Buffalo County is not currently available in our dataset.
Soil & Planting Advisory: Buffalo County
Soil Verdict
Buffalo 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
Buffalo County closely matches the South Dakota average hardiness conditions.
Planning your lawn? View lawn care data for Buffalo County on LawnByCounty.com →
Other Counties in South Dakota
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.