Franklin County Soil Data
Franklin County, Vermont
Avg pH
5.3
Texture
Loam
Drainage
N/A
Organic Matter
10.2%
Hydrologic Group
N/A
Data Story
About Soil in Franklin County, Vermont
Moderate Acidity for Diverse Farming
Franklin’s pH of 5.35 is acidic relative to the 6.5 national median but remains higher than the state average of 4.86. This moderate acidity is generally manageable for the county's famous dairy and crop farms.
Well-Aerated and Sandy Silt
Sand makes up nearly half the soil at 48.8%, paired with 32.2% silt and 9.1% clay. This distribution creates a workable, well-aerated soil that is less prone to the heavy compaction of pure clay.
Solid Nutrient Potential
At 10.24% organic matter, the soil is well above the national 2.0% average but under the state benchmark of 29.01%. The water capacity of 0.166 in/in is lower than the Vermont average, requiring some soil amendments for moisture.
Efficient Water Management
The high sand content facilitates efficient water movement through the ground, even without detailed drainage class data. This is a practical benefit for both large-scale agriculture and residential gardening projects.
Staple Crops Thrive in Zone 5a
Zone 5a allows for a variety of crops, including corn and beans which are regional staples. Despite a soil score of 54.0, the high sand content makes this land easy to work and improve with compost.
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of soil does Franklin County have?
Franklin County's soil is classified as Loam. This indicates the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay — 49% sand, 32% silt, and 9% clay. Loamy soils hold moisture well and support a wide range of plants.
Is Franklin County's soil acidic or alkaline?
Franklin County's soil has a low pH of 5.3, which is strongly acidic. Acidic soils benefit from lime applications to raise pH and improve nutrient availability.
What is the drainage class for Franklin County?
Drainage class data is not currently available for Franklin County.
What crops or plants grow well in Franklin County's soil?
Based on Franklin County's Loam texture, pH of 5.3, and drainage class, the soil is well suited for acid-loving plants like blueberries and azaleas, row crops and vegetable gardens.
What USDA soil order is found in Franklin County?
The dominant USDA soil order for Franklin County is not currently available in our dataset.
Planning your lawn? View lawn care data for Franklin County on LawnByCounty.com →
Other Counties in Vermont
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.