Best Soil for Gardening in Northern Mariana Islands
Northern Mariana Islands has 2 USDA soil survey areas, and they vary considerably in how friendly the ground is for growing things. We ranked every survey area by the percentage of well-drained soil — the single most important soil property for most garden plants.
At the top, Islands of Aguijan, Rota, Saipan and Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands has 94% well-drained soils — conditions where most vegetables, herbs, and flowers can thrive with basic soil preparation. At the other end, Islands of Agrigan, Alamagan, Anatahan, Pagan, and Sarigan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands comes in at 90%, meaning more of the landscape has drainage challenges that may require raised beds, soil amendments, or careful site selection for a productive garden.
Remember that these are area-wide averages. Even in a low-ranking survey area, individual properties can have excellent garden soil. Look up your specific address for exact conditions.
| # | Survey Area | Well-Drained Soils | Dominant Drainage | Dominant Soil Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Islands of Aguijan, Rota, Saipan and Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands | 94% | Well drained | Mollisols |
| 2 | Islands of Agrigan, Alamagan, Anatahan, Pagan, and Sarigan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands | 90% | Well drained | Andisols |