Greene County, Alabama
The most common soil here is Shubuta, on about 8% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Falaya and Leaf come next.
About 31% of the land drains well, and 28% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 53% of it.
USDA rates 89% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 81% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 35% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 7% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Greene County, Alabama, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Ultisols — strongly weathered soils with clay-enriched subsoils, common in warm humid climates. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Greene County, Alabama. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shubuta-Magnolia-Falaya association, hilly | 62K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Falaya fine sandy loam | 23K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leaf silt loam | 22K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 19K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Leaf-Angie association | 16K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marietta and Leeper soils | 13K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Myatt fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 13K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Savannah fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leeper clay | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cahaba fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Angie fine sandy loam, terrace, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sumter silty clay, 3 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Trinity clay | 8K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shubuta-Boswell complex, 8 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 8K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lakeland fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ochlockonee fine sandy loam | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Savannah fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oktibbeha soils, 3 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ruston fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ruston fine sandy loam, terrace, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
Soil Orders in This Area
The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 81% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 89% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.