DeSoto County, Mississippi
The most common soil here is Loring, on about 17% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Collins and Falaya come next.
About 12% of the land drains well, and 15% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 28% of it.
USDA rates 85% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 86% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 33% 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 DeSoto County, Mississippi, 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 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 DeSoto County, Mississippi. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gullied land, Loring soil material | 45K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Collins silt loam (adler) | 33K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Collins and Falaya silt loams, local alluvium phases | 29K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 17K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Loring silty clay loam, severely eroded gently sloping phase | 15K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loring silty clay loam, severely eroded sloping phase | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grenada silt loam, severely eroded, gently sloping phase | 12K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loring silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded, central | 11K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Falaya silt loam (arkabutla) | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Falaya silty clay loam (arkabutla) | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Memphis silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded, northern phase | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Gullied land, Grenada soil material | 7K | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited | ||
| Loring silty clay loam, severely eroded very gently sloping phase | 5K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grenada silt loam, eroded, very gently sloping phase | 5K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vicksburg and Collins silt loams, local alluvium phases | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loring silty clay loam, severely eroded strongly sloping phase | 4K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dundee very fine sandy loam, nearly level phase | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alluvial soils | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Memphis silty clay loam, severely eroded gently sloping phase | 4K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Grenada silt loam, severely eroded sloping phase (loring) | 4K | Moderately well drained | C | 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 86% 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 85% 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
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.