Harford County, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
The most common soil here is Romney, on about 8% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Mattapex and Woodstown come next.
About 8% of the land drains well, and 23% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 24% of it.
USDA rates 50% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 42% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 10% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Harford County, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, 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 Harford County, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 26K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Romney silt loam | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mattapex silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, Northern Coastal Plain | 3K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents, loamy, 0 to 10 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Puckum muck | 2K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Woodstown sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, Northern Coastal Plain | 2K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lenape mucky peat | 2K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mattapex silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, Northern Coastal Plain | 1K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Beltsville silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 1K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Udorthents complex, 0 to 10 percent slopes | 990 | D | Not limited | Not limited | |
| Elkton silt loam | 979 | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fallsington sandy loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes, northern coastal plain | 867 | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mattapex-Udorthents-Urban land complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 637 | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Codorus loam | 553 | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nassawango silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 538 | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Woodstown sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, Northern Coastal Plain | 496 | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Indiantown mucky silt loam | 474 | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hambrook sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 462 | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hambrook sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 411 | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Corsica loam | 398 | Very poorly drained | B/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 42% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 50% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.
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.