Which fields might be best suited for growing corn, soybeans and alfalfa?
Soil is a mixture of mineral and organic matter, air, water and living things. There are about 500 different soils in Virginia. A soil survey, made on a county basis, is a scientific inventory of these soils. This inventory includes maps that show soil’s location and type, detailed descriptions of each soil and laboratory data on many physical and chemical properties of the soil. The data can be used to make decisions on how to use the land. Homebuyers and owners can avoid costly mistakes by using soil surveys. These surveys show the extent and hazards of flood-prone areas, give the amount of sand, silt and clay in soil, and rate the shrinking and swelling potential of soils high in clay content. They also detail erodibility, slope, permeability, wetness, depth to bedrock and water tables to determine, for example, whether a septic tank absorption field can be safely installed. Planners and engineers can also use this information in evaluating soil problems along with other land use al
