Kerr County Soil Data

Kerr County, Texas

Avg pH

7.0

Texture

Silty Clay Loam

Drainage

N/A

Organic Matter

3.3%

Hydrologic Group

D

Data Story

About Soil in Kerr County, Texas

Balanced pH in Kerr County

Kerr County soil stays closer to neutral than its neighbors with a pH of 6.97. This nearly matches the state average of 7.09 and is only slightly above the 6.5 national median.

Tight Clay and Silt Texture

With 36.9% clay and 35.6% silt, the soil has a dense, heavy texture. Only 19.5% of the mix is sand, meaning the ground stays tight and holds onto moisture and nutrients very effectively.

Impressive Organic Richness

The organic matter content is 3.27%, which is nearly double the Texas average of 1.66%. Despite this richness, the available water capacity is 0.125 in/in, falling slightly below the state average of 0.133.

Slow Infiltration Challenges

High clay content places these soils in hydrologic group D, signaling very slow infiltration and high runoff potential. The soil stays wet for long periods after rain, which can stress plants not adapted to heavy moisture.

Native Success in Zone 8b

Hardiness Zone 8b provides a warm climate that complements the rich organic matter found here. Native Texas wildflowers flourish, especially if you provide slightly raised beds to manage the slow drainage.

Soil Composition

Silty Clay Loam
Sand: 19.5%
Silt: 35.6%
Clay: 36.9%
Silty Clay Loam

Soil pH

7.0pH
6.96655298655331
Strongly AcidicSlightly AcidicNeutralSlightly AlkalineStrongly Alkaline
Ideal lawn range: 6.0 - 7.0

Soil Series

Detailed soil series data not yet available for this county.

Hydrologic Group

Group D — High Runoff

Clay soils with very slow infiltration rates. Highest runoff potential. These soils have a permanent high water table or are shallow over impervious material.

Runoff potential:High

Drainage Class

Drainage class data not available.

Soil Profile

Dominant texture: Silty Clay Loam

O HorizonOrganic layer
0-2"
A HorizonTopsoil
2-10"
B HorizonSubsoil
10-30"
C HorizonParent material
30-60"
R HorizonBedrock
60"+

Typical soil profile. Actual depths vary by location.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of soil does Kerr County have?

Kerr County's soil is classified as Silty Clay Loam. This indicates the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay — 20% sand, 36% silt, and 37% clay. Loamy soils hold moisture well and support a wide range of plants.

Is Kerr County's soil acidic or alkaline?

Kerr County's soil has a pH of 7.0, which is near neutral. This range is ideal for most garden plants and field crops.

What is the drainage class for Kerr County?

Drainage class data is not currently available for Kerr County.

What crops or plants grow well in Kerr County's soil?

Based on Kerr County's Silty Clay Loam texture, pH of 7.0, 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 Kerr County?

The dominant USDA soil order for Kerr County is not currently available in our dataset.

Other Counties in Texas

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.