Lamb County Soil Data

Lamb County, Texas

Avg pH

7.8

Texture

Fine sand

Drainage

Excessively drained

Organic Matter

1.5%

Hydrologic Group

A

Data Story

About Soil in Lamb County, Texas

Highly Alkaline Fine Sands of Lamb

The soil here is quite alkaline, with a pH of 7.78 compared to the national median of 6.5. This contributes to a relatively low soil score of 15.9, which is below the Texas average.

High Sand Content and Easy Workability

A dominant texture of fine sand is driven by a 60.7% sand composition. While this makes the soil very easy to dig and till, it struggles to hold onto water and nutrients compared to clay-heavy soils.

Low Water Capacity and Organic Matter

Organic matter stands at 1.46%, and the available water capacity is just 0.129 in/in. Both figures fall below the state averages, suggesting that frequent fertilization and watering are necessary for garden success.

Rapid Infiltration in Excessively Drained Soils

The county features excessively drained soils belonging to hydrologic group A. This means water moves very quickly through the ground, significantly reducing the risk of flooding but increasing the need for irrigation.

Cooler Growing in Hardiness Zone 7a

Lamb County is in hardiness zone 7a, supporting crops like grapes and sweet potatoes. Start your garden today, but be sure to use plenty of mulch to keep moisture in the sandy ground.

Soil Composition

Fine sand
Sand: 60.7%
Silt: 20.9%
Clay: 18.4%
Fine sand

Soil pH

7.8pH
7.78266333673346
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 A — Low Runoff

Sandy, well-drained soils with high infiltration rates. Water moves quickly through the soil profile. Lowest runoff potential when thoroughly wetted.

Runoff potential:Low

Drainage Class

Excessively drained

Water is removed very rapidly. Very sandy or gravelly soils with little water retention.

Soil Profile

Dominant texture: Fine sand

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 Lamb County have?

Lamb County's soil is classified as Fine sand. This indicates the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay — 61% sand, 21% silt, and 18% clay. Sandy soils drain quickly but may need more frequent irrigation and fertilization.

Is Lamb County's soil acidic or alkaline?

Lamb County's soil has a pH of 7.8, which is mildly to moderately alkaline. Sulfur amendments can lower pH if needed.

What is the drainage class for Lamb County?

Lamb County has a dominant drainage class of "Excessively drained." Moderate drainage allows adequate moisture retention while still permitting excess water to drain over time.

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

Based on Lamb County's Fine sand texture, pH of 7.8, and Excessively drained, the soil is well suited for drought-tolerant crops and native grasses, drought-tolerant crops, root vegetables, and sandy-soil specialists.

What USDA soil order is found in Lamb County?

The dominant USDA soil order for Lamb 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.