Codington County Soil Data
Codington County, South Dakota
USDA SSURGO / PHZMAvg pH
7.1
Texture
Loam
Drainage
N/A
Organic Matter
3.7%
Hydrologic Group
N/A
Data Story
About Soil in Codington County, South Dakota
Codington's top-tier soil profile
Codington County earns an impressive soil score of 66.7, the highest in this group. Its average pH of 7.07 is almost perfectly aligned with the South Dakota state average of 7.05.
Silty loam for easy workability
The composition is 47.4% silt and 28.8% sand, providing a smooth texture that is easy to manage. The 23.8% clay provides enough weight to hold water without becoming overly compact or sticky.
Exceptional water retention and organic life
Available water capacity is a robust 0.195 in/in, which is significantly higher than the state average of 0.182. With organic matter at 3.67%, these soils are biologically active and drought-resilient.
Productive hydrology for the Glacial Lakes
While taxonomic data is missing, the county's high soil score reflects a very healthy hydrologic balance. The high water capacity ensures that crops have access to moisture even during the drier weeks of summer.
Prime gardening in zone 4b
The combination of high water capacity and great soil score makes this a gardener’s dream in Zone 4b. Everything from root vegetables to corn will thrive in this nutrient-rich, silty environment.
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 Codington County have?
Codington County's soil is classified as Loam. This indicates the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay — 29% sand, 47% silt, and 24% clay. Loamy soils hold moisture well and support a wide range of plants.
Is Codington County's soil acidic or alkaline?
Codington County's soil has a pH of 7.1, which is near neutral. This range is ideal for most garden plants and field crops.
What is the drainage class for Codington County?
Drainage class data is not currently available for Codington County.
What crops or plants grow well in Codington County's soil?
Based on Codington County's Loam texture, pH of 7.1, and drainage class, the soil is well suited for drought-tolerant crops and native grasses, row crops and vegetable gardens.
What USDA soil order is found in Codington County?
The dominant USDA soil order for Codington County is not currently available in our dataset.
Soil & Planting Advisory: Codington County
Soil Verdict
Codington 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
Codington County closely matches the South Dakota average hardiness conditions.
Planning your lawn? View lawn care data for Codington 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.