Formal descriptions of soils in Eagle Heights and University Houses Gardens
Compared to soils in much of the world, the soil in Eagle Heights and University Houses gardens is rich and well-suited to vegetable gardening (with the exception that much of Eagle Heights is sloped enough that erosion is a significant concern when soil is left exposed).
For those who are interested, the United States government’s Geological Survey (USGS) has for many decades provided maps and descriptions of the country’s soils. An aerial photograph of Eagle Heights with the main types of soil present is shown below. Following the map are formal descriptions of each of the major soils present.
Soil Map of Eagle Heights
Soil Map of University Heights
Kidder loam (KdD2), 12 to 20 percent slopes, eroded
This soil is on lower side slopes. The Kidder series consists of deep, well-drained, gently sloping to very steep soils on glaciated uplands. 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.
Soils have medium fertility, medium water capacity, and moderate permeability.
These soils are suited to all crops grown in the county. 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.
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.
Dodge silt loam (DnC2), 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded
The Dodge series consists of deep, well-drained, gently sloping and sloping soils on glaciated uplands.
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. These soils have high fertility, high available water capacity, and mod. permeability. The seasonal high water table is deeper than 5 feet.
Suited to all crops commonly grown in the county. The main crops are corn, oats, and alfalfa. 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. 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 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 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 (ScB), 2 to 6 percent slopes
The St. Charles series consists of deep, nearly level to moderately steep, well drained and moderately well drained soils on glaciated uplands.
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.
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. If these soils are cultivated, controlling erosion and maintaining tilth and organic matter content are helpful conservation practices. 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 (ScC2), 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded
Present 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. Otherwise it is similar to other soils in the St. Charles series.
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 major concerns of management are controlling erosion, improving organic-matter content and tilth of the surface layer, and increasing fertility.
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.
McHenry silt loam (MdC2), 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded
The McHenry series consist of very deep, well drained soils formed in loess or other silty material and in the underlying loamy till on moraines and till plains. Some areas are hundreds of acres in size, but on moraine slopes areas may be long and narrow.
Soils in these series have a large water-holding capacity. Most areas are cropped. Corn, soybeans, and small grain are the principal crops. Some areas are used for meadow or are still in woods. Native vegetation is mixed hardwood forest. The major concern of management is controlling erosion.
Dodge silt loam (DnB), 2 to 6 percent slopes
The Dodge series consists of very deep well-drained soils formed in loess and in the underlying till on ground moraines, end moraines, and drumlins.
Most areas of the soil are used for cropland. Common crops are corn, small grain, legumes, and canning crops. Some areas are used for pastureland or woodland. Native vegetation is primarily deciduous forest with maple-basswood and oak-hickory predominating.