Gonzales County, Texas
The most common soil here is Edge, on about 9% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Luling and Rosanky come next.
About 64% of the land drains well, and 4% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 65% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 16% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 15% 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 Gonzales 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 D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Gonzales 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edge fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Degola clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 31K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Edge fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 23K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rosanky fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Silstid loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tabor fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 20K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Luling clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arol fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Benchley clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crockett fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 16K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Meguin silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 16K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Singleton fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 16K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rosanky fine sandy loam, 3 to 5 slopes, eroded | 14K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Elmendorf-Denhawken complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Flatonia sandy clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Megiun silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chazos loamy fine sand, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Padina loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Gillett fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tabor fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | C/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 65% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 92% 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.