Bastrop County, Texas
The most common soil here is Edge, on about 20% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Crockett and Padina come next.
About 54% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 15% of it.
USDA rates 80% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 47% 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, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 2% 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 Bastrop County, Texas, 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 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 Bastrop County, Texas. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Padina fine sand, 1 to 12 percent slopes | 60K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Robco-Tanglewood complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 46K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Crockett fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 45K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Edge fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 43K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Edge gravelly fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 39K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tabor fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 38K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Edge fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 34K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Silstid loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bosque loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 18K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crockett fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 16K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sayers fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 14K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Whitesboro clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 12K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Behring clay loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 12K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wilson clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jedd gravelly fine sandy loam, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Crockett fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded | 11K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Behring clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Smithville fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Edge fine sandy loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rosanky fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Not 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 47% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 80% 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.