Orange County, Virginia

Survey Area VA137• Virginia

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 Orange 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
Buffstat silt loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded	24K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Buffstat silt loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes, moderately eroded	17K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Littlejoe silt loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes, moderately eroded	14K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Fauquier clay, 7 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded	11K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Buffstat silt loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Bugley very channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes	5K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Grassland silt loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes	5K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Hatboro-Codorus complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded	5K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Littlejoe silt loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded	5K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Fauquier clay loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes, moderately eroded	4K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Codorus silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded	4K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Fauquier clay loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded	4K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Meadowville silt loam, 2 to 10 percent slopes	3K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Bugley very channery silt loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes	3K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Littlejoe loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes, moderately eroded	3K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Littlejoe silt loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes	3K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Rabun clay loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded	3K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Elioak fine sandy loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes, moderately eroded	3K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Elbert silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, overwash	3K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Meadowville fine sandy loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes	3K	Moderately 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.

Ultisols

Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 22% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.

Septic Systems

About 24% 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.