Soil series profile

Nobleton soil series

Nobleton is a somewhat poorly drained soil with a fine sand surface, mapped on 25,082 acres in 7 counties in FL. Hydrologic group C/D.

#9229 by mapped area clayey Aquic Arenic Paleudults (Ultisols)

Drainage class: Somewhat poorly drained
Hydrologic group: C/D
Typical topsoil pH: 5.3
Mapped area: 25k

Typical Nobleton profile

Texture and pH by depth

Depth to scale. More strongly shaded layers hold more clay. Horizon names are the soil survey's (A = topsoil, B = subsoil, C = parent material).

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Typical Nobleton horizons (representative values)
Depth	Texture	pH	Clay	Sand	Organic matter
0–7 in (A)	Fine sand	5.3	8%	91%	2%
7–33 in (E)	Fine sand	5.3	8%	91%	0.25%
33–37 in (Bt1)	Sandy clay loam	4.6	31%	55%	0.25%
37–60 in (Bt2)	Sandy clay	4.6	43%	49%	0.25%
60–80 in (Bt3)	Sandy clay loam	4.6	31%	55%	0.25%
80–85 in (BC)	Sandy clay loam	4.6	28%	55%	0.25%

Representative values from the most extensive Nobleton map unit (Nobleton fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes, survey area FL053). Other map units of this series vary within the series range.

Stock photo for illustration, not a sample of this soil series. Credit on the Sources & method page.

What this means

What Nobleton soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems

For gardens

Typical topsoil in Nobleton soils is strongly acidic: pH 5.3. Most vegetables and lawn grasses do best around 6.0 to 7.0, so lime is often needed; blueberries, azaleas and rhododendrons like it as it is.

Sandy topsoil covers 100% of mapped Nobleton acres. It drains fast and warms early in spring, but dries out and loses nutrients quickly: mulch, compost and steady watering help. The most common surface texture is fine sand (100% of mapped Nobleton acres).

100% of mapped Nobleton acres is somewhat poorly to very poorly drained, so soil stays soggy for long spells after rain and in wet seasons. Raised beds, plants that tolerate wet feet, and not working the soil while wet all help.

For lawns and yards

On 100% of mapped acres, rain soaks in slowly (hydrologic groups C and D, including dual groups that are D until drained). Expect runoff and puddles after heavy rain: core-aerate compacted lawns and keep ground sloping away from foundations.

For a septic system

For conventional septic absorption fields, NRCS rates 100% of the acres in mapped Nobleton soils very limited, 0% somewhat limited and 0% not limited.

Where the soil is very limited (slow permeability, a high water table, flooding, shallow bedrock or steep slopes), alternative systems such as mound or sand-filter designs are common and cost more.

Only a licensed site evaluation or perc test at the actual lot decides whether a system is allowed and which design.

Generated from the mapped numbers above using fixed rules, not a site visit. See how these notes are written.

Where Nobleton soil is found

Mapped acres

Nobleton is mapped in Florida.

Counties with the most mapped Nobleton soil
County	Acres	Share of county land
Hernando County, FL	17,477	5.5%
Pasco County, FL	7,065	1.5%
Polk County, FL	267	0.0%
Citrus County, FL	179	0.0%
Sumter County, FL	52	0.0%
Alachua County, FL	24	0.0%
Marion County, FL	18	0.0%

Septic absorption fields

NRCS rating, share of Nobleton acres

Not limited 0%

Somewhat limited 0%

Very limited 100%

Septic tank absorption field rating across mapped Nobleton acres. Scale 0 to 100% of mapped land.

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Septic tank absorption field rating across mapped Nobleton acres.
Category	Share of acres
Not limited	0.0%
Somewhat limited	0.0%
Very limited	100.0%

Drainage, water table and flooding

Share of Nobleton acres

Depth to seasonal high water table: About 1.8 feet (22 in) (median where reported).
Flooding: Not mapped as flooding on most acres.
Slope: Typically 3–3% (median 3%).
Topsoil organic matter: Median 2%.

Drainage class

Excessively drained 0%

Somewhat excessively drained 0%

Well drained 0%

Moderately well drained 0%

Somewhat poorly drained 100%

Poorly drained 0%

Very poorly drained 0%

Drainage class across mapped Nobleton acres. Scale 0 to 100% of mapped land.

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Drainage class across mapped Nobleton acres.
Category	Share of acres
Excessively drained	0.0%
Somewhat excessively drained	0.0%
Well drained	0.0%
Moderately well drained	0.0%
Somewhat poorly drained	100.0%
Poorly drained	0.0%
Very poorly drained	0.0%

Hydrologic soil group

A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly) 0%

B: moderate infiltration 0%

C: slow infiltration 0%

D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet) 0%

A/D: D as is, A if drained 0%

B/D: D as is, B if drained 0%

C/D: D as is, C if drained 100%

Hydrologic soil group across mapped Nobleton acres. Scale 0 to 100% of mapped land.

Show as a table

Hydrologic soil group across mapped Nobleton acres.
Category	Share of acres
A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly)	0.0%
B: moderate infiltration	0.0%
C: slow infiltration	0.0%
D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet)	0.0%
A/D: D as is, A if drained	0.0%
B/D: D as is, B if drained	0.0%
C/D: D as is, C if drained	100.0%

Sources & data dates

Source: USDA NRCS Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO), queried through Soil Data Access. Public domain.
Data date: SSURGO as published on November 3, 2026 (most recent survey area update October 26, 2026). NRCS refreshes SSURGO each October.
Scope: All map unit components named Nobleton (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 25,082 acres.
Method: Shares are by mapped acres of Nobleton components. The profile comes from the single largest Nobleton component. Full methodology.

Independent reference site. No government affiliation or endorsement.

Full narrative description: USDA Official Soil Series Description for Nobleton.