What type of soil does Illinois have?
Drummer silty clay loam
Establishment of State Soil On August 2, 2001, Illinois’ Governor signed legislation designating Drummer silty clay loam as the official state soil of Illinois.
What is Ozaukee silt loam?
The Ozaukee series consists of moderately well drained soils that are moderately deep or deep to a densic contact with till (Cd). TYPICAL PEDON: Ozaukee silt loam – on a 4 percent north-facing convex slope in a wooded area at an elevation of about 266 meters (873 feet) above sea level.
What type of soil does Southern Illinois have?
Illinois State Soil | Drummer Silty Clay Loam.
Where is the best soil in Illinois?
Soil scientists say the glaciers left prime farmland through much of Illinois north of Interstate 70, which cuts through the south-central part of the state. They say the richest soil is in a swath that runs east from around Springfield to the Indiana border.
Why is Illinois soil so fertile?
The Land of Illinois The northeastern and central areas of the state are very flat where the last glacier ground up rock and soil in its path. Dust and sand also blew onto land surrounding the edges of the glaciers. All these deposits make up the fertile soil of the central area.
What is silty clay good for?
Silty soil is usually more fertile than other types of soil, meaning it is good for growing crops. Silt promotes water retention and air circulation. Too much clay can make soil too stiff for plants to thrive.
Is silty clay loam good for gardening?
Most common garden plants prefer loam — soils with a balance of different-sized mineral particles (approximately 40% sand, 40% silt, and 20% clay) with ample organic matter and pore space. However, some plants grow better in sandy soils, while others are well-adapted to clay soils.
Does Illinois have the best soil?
Minerals deposited by glaciers and subsequent prairie growth for thousands of years have blessed Illinois with some of the world’s most fertile topsoil. It can take hundreds to thousands of years to generate an inch of topsoil, which is why soil often is referred to as a non-renewable resource.
What state has the richest soil?
Iowa has some of the richest and most productive of soils in the world. Around 90 percent of its land being used for agriculture, the state ranks second in the nation for agricultural production, after California.
What county in Illinois has the best soil?
They say the richest soil is in a swath that runs east from around Springfield to the Indiana border. That includes Morgan County, which logged the state’s first 200 bushel per acre average corn yield last year, and McLean County, traditionally the state’s leading corn and soybean producer.
What grows well in silty soil?
Great for: Shrubs, climbers, grasses and perennials such as Mahonia, New Zealand flax. Moisture-loving trees such as Willow, Birch, Dogwood and Cypress do well in silty soils. Most vegetable and fruit crops thrive in silty soils which have adequate adequate drainage.