Nottoway County, Virginia
The most common soil here is Appling, on about 23% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Cecil and Wilkes come next.
About 81% of the land drains well, and 14% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 14% of it.
USDA rates 48% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 31% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 8% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 18% 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 Nottoway County, Virginia, 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 Nottoway County, Virginia. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appling coarse sandy loam, undulating phase | 21K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Mixed alluvial land | 13K | Poorly drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Appling fine sandy loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wilkes sandy loam, eroded hilly phase | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Appling coarse sandy loam, rolling phase | 9K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cecil fine sandy loam, undulating phase | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Madison sandy loam, undulating phase | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Appling coarse sandy loam, eroded rolling phase | 7K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Enon-Vance-Helena soils, undulating phases | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Worsham sandy loam | 6K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Durham coarse sandy loam, undulating phase | 5K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Cecil coarse sandy loam, undulating phase | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Colfax sandy loam, undulating phase | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Enon-Vance-Helena soils, eroded rolling | 5K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Louisburg sandy loam, hilly phase | 4K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wilkes sandy loam, hilly phase | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Louisburg sandy loam, eroded hilly phase | 3K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Enon-Vance-Helena soils, rolling phases | 3K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Seneca sandy loam | 3K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Madison clay loam, eroded rolling phase | 3K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat 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 31% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 48% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.
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.