Lagrange County, Indiana
The most common soil here is Boyer, on about 14% of the land: a loamy sand, gritty and loose. Oshtemo and Wawasee come next.
About 59% of the land drains well, and 37% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 37% of it.
USDA rates 97% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 40% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
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 Lagrange County, Indiana, 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 Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Lagrange County, Indiana. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boyer loamy sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Wawasee fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Sebewa loam, drained, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 14K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oshtemo loamy sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rensselaer loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Boyer loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Conover loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hillsdale sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Shipshe sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Oshtemo loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Boyer loamy sand, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Gilford sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, gravelly subsoil | 6K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Homer sandy loam | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wawasee fine sandy loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Water | 6K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Oshtemo loamy sand, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Plainfield loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Houghton muck, undrained, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 5K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Plainfield sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 4K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Brady sandy loam | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | 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 40% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 97% 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.