Rensselaer soil series

What this means

What Rensselaer soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems

For gardens

Typical topsoil in Rensselaer soils is neutral: pH 6.7, the range most vegetables, flowers and lawn grasses prefer.

Loamy topsoil (loam, silt loam and similar) covers >99% of mapped Rensselaer acres: generally the easiest soil to garden, holding moisture without staying waterlogged. The most common surface texture is loam (72% of mapped Rensselaer acres).

>99% of mapped Rensselaer 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 >99% 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.

A seasonal high water table comes within 18 inches of the surface on >99% of mapped acres, often in spring. Basements, sump pumps and lawns in low spots feel it first.

For a septic system

For conventional septic absorption fields, NRCS rates >99% of the acres in mapped Rensselaer 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.