Lebanon County, Pennsylvania
The most common soil here is Berks, on about 11% of the land: a channery loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Hagerstown and Duffield come next.
About 77% of the land drains well, and 9% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 12% of it.
USDA rates 66% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 58% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 7% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 22% 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 Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hagerstown silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Duffield silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Berks channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bedington shaly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Berks channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Holly silt loam | 8K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Laidig extremely stony loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ungers extremely stony loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton sandy loam, 25 to 50 percent slopes, rubbly | 6K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clarksburg silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clarksburg silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Comly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Laidig gravelly loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, extremely stony | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Hagerstown complex | 4K | Not limited | Not limited | ||
| Weikert channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 4K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hagerstown-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Weikert channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton-Laidig association, moderately steep | 3K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ungers loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Neshaminy extremely stony silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 3K | 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 58% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 66% 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.