Walworth County Soil Data
Walworth County, South Dakota
USDA SSURGO / PHZMAvg pH
7.1
Texture
Loam
Drainage
N/A
Organic Matter
3.4%
Hydrologic Group
N/A
Data Story
About Soil in Walworth County, South Dakota
Balanced and Productive Soils
Walworth County soil sits at a pH of 7.06, which is consistent with the state average. The county maintains a soil score of 63.6, placing it above the South Dakota baseline for quality.
Reliable Agricultural Texture
A healthy 46.1% silt and 23.3% clay define the texture, supported by 30.6% sand. This composition ensures the soil is neither too heavy nor too porous for standard agricultural or garden use.
Healthy Organic and Water Reserves
The 3.37% organic matter is well above the national 2.0% average. Furthermore, the available water capacity of 0.189 in/in exceeds the South Dakota average, promising good drought resilience.
Stable Ground for Planting
No specific drainage or hydrologic group data are currently available for this county. However, the balanced silt and sand percentages typically indicate moderate, reliable drainage for most plants.
Hardy Crops for the North
Hardiness Zone 4b is ideal for growing corn, soybeans, and hardy garden vegetables. Your soil’s high water capacity makes this an excellent location to start a successful and resilient backyard 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
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Browse Soil AmendmentsFrequently Asked Questions
What type of soil does Walworth County have?
Walworth County's soil is classified as Loam. This indicates the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay — 31% sand, 46% silt, and 23% clay. Loamy soils hold moisture well and support a wide range of plants.
Is Walworth County's soil acidic or alkaline?
Walworth 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 Walworth County?
Drainage class data is not currently available for Walworth County.
What crops or plants grow well in Walworth County's soil?
Based on Walworth 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 Walworth County?
The dominant USDA soil order for Walworth County is not currently available in our dataset.
Soil & Planting Advisory: Walworth County
Soil Verdict
Walworth 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
Walworth County closely matches the South Dakota average hardiness conditions.
Planning your lawn? View lawn care data for Walworth 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.