Martin County, Texas
The most common soil here is Amarillo, on about 36% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Midessa and Kimbrough come next.
About 99% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 25% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 18% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
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 Martin 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Martin 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 110K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Amarillo fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 73K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Amarillo loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 54K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Midessa fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 50K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Portales loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kimbrough-Slaughter complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 34K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kimbrough and Upton soils, nearly level | 24K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Acuff sandy clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Slaughter loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharvana fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gomez fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Patricia fine sand, gently undulating | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Midessa fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Brownfield fine sand, thick surface | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Olton loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Stegall clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Arvana fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Arch soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Veal fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Arvana fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Somewhat 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
Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.
Septic Systems
About 25% 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.