Well Drained Soil

"Well drained" is the most favorable drainage class in the USDA system. It means water moves through the soil readily but not too rapidly. The soil is not saturated for a significant part of the growing season, and there's enough air in the soil for healthy root growth.

Well-drained soils are generally the easiest to build on, the best for conventional septic systems, and the most versatile for gardening. Most vegetables, fruit trees, and ornamental plants prefer well-drained conditions.

In practice, "well drained" usually means loamy or sandy loam textures with moderate permeability. You won't see standing water after rain, and the soil dries out within a day or two of heavy precipitation.

Look up your address to see the specific soil conditions at your property, or browse the full glossary for more terms.