Plot Information > Soils > Soil Classification in Gardens

Kidder Silt Loam Dodge Silt Loam St. Charles Silt Loam Eroded St. Charles Silt Loam \ St. Charles Silt Loam

 

 

 

 


Soil Classification
Dodge silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded (DnC2)
The Dodge series consists of deep, well-drained, gently sloping and sloping soils on glaciated uplands. These soils formed under mixed hardwoods in 26 to 36 inches of loess over sandy loam glacial till. In a representative profile the surface layer is dark grayish-brown silt loam about 6 inches thick. The subsurface layer is brown silt loam 3 inches thick. The subsoil is 31 inches thick. The upper 20 inches of the subsoil is brown silty clay loam, and the lower 11 inches is brown, firm clay loam and sandy clay loam. The underlying material is calcareous, yellowish-brown sandy loam till. These soils have high fertility. The available water capacity is high, and permeability is moderate. The seasonal high water table is at a depth of more than 5 feet. These soils are suited to all crops commonly grownin the county. The main crops are corn, oats, and alfalfa. These soils are also suited to pasture woodland, and wildlife habitat. If these soils are used for crops, the control of erosion and maintenance of tilth and organic-matter content are useful conservation practices.

This soil has a profile similar to the one described as representative for the series, but it is shallower to sandy loam glacial till. If properly managed this soil is suited to all the crops commonly grown in the county. The only limitation of this soil is a severe hazard of erosion. The major concerns of management are control of erosion and improvement of the organic-matter content, tilth of the surface layer, and fertility. Capability unit IIIe-1: woodland suitability group 201.

St. Charles silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes (ScB)
The St. Charles series consists of deep, nearly level to moderately steep, well drained and moderately well drained soils on glaciated uplands. These soils formed in deep loess and loamy glacial till under mixed hardwoods. In a representative profile the surface layer is dark grayish-brown silt loam about 6 inches thick. It dries to a distinctive gray color. The subsurface layer is brown, friable silt loam about 3 inches thick. The subsoil is about 41 inches thick. The upper 32 inches is firm, yellowish-brown silt loam and silty clay loam; and the lower 9 inches is friable, brown loam. The underlying material is massive, calcareous, brown sandy loam till. These soils have high fertility. The available water capacity is high, and permeability is moderate. The seasonal high water table is below a depth of 3 feet, and it usually is below a depth of 5 feet. These soils are suited to all crops commonly grown in the county. The main crops are corn, oats, and alfalfa. These soils are also suited to pasture, woodland, and wildlife habitat. If these soils are cultivated, controlling erosion and maintaining tilth and organic matter content are helpful conservation practices.

St. Charles silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded (ScC2)
This soil is on nearly uniformly shaped middle side slopes. Areas of this soil are ribbonlike tracts 100 to 150 acres in size. These areas are characterized by a few narrow drainageways. Slopes are slightly convex. Tilth is poorer and fertility is lower than in uneroded areas. If this soil is properly managed, it is suited to all crops commonly grown in the county. The only limitation is a severe hazard of erosion caused by slope. The major concerns of management are controlling erosion, improving organic-matter content and tilth of the surface layer, and increasing fertility.

Kidder loam, 12 to 20 percent slopes, eroded (KdD2)
This soil is on lower side slopes. Areas of this soil are elongated tracts 20 to 120 acres in size. These areas are characterized by a few narrow drainage ways. The Kidder series consists of deep, well-drained, gently sloping to very steep soils on glaciated uplands. These soils formed in glacial till under mixed hardwoods. The depth to calcareous glacial till is 24 to 40 inches. In a representative profile the surface layer is very dark grayish-brown loam about 3 inches thick. The subsurface layer is brown loam about 6 inches thick. In cultivated areas all or most of the subsurface layer commonly is incorporated into the surface layer and the surface layer is lighter in color. The subsoil is 29 inches thick. The upper 21 inches is brown sandy clay loam, and the lower 8 inches is strong-brown sandy loam. The underlying material is clay platy, calcareous sandy loam till.

These soils have medium fertility. The available water capacity is medium, and permeability is moderate. These soils are suited to all crops commonly grown in the county. The main crops are corn, oats, and alfalfa. The soils are also suited to pasture, woodland, and wildlife habitat. If these soils are cultivated, control of erosion and maintenance of tilth and organic matter content are helpful conservation practices. The hazard of erosion is very severe. The major concerns of management are improving organic-matter content, maintaining tilth, raising the level of fertility, and controlling erosion. Capability unit IVe-1; woodland suitability group 2r2.

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