Soil series profile
Tulare soil series
Tulare is a somewhat poorly drained soil with a clay surface, mapped on 106,012 acres in 1 county in CA. Hydrologic group C.
- Drainage class
- Somewhat poorly drained 100% of mapped acres
- Hydrologic group
- C 100% of mapped acres
- Typical topsoil pH
- 8.3 moderately alkaline · range 8.3–8.3
- Mapped area
- 106k acres in 1 county, 1 state
Typical Tulare profile
Texture and pH by depth
Show as a table
| Depth | Texture | pH | Clay | Sand | Organic matter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–4 in (Ap1) | Clay | 8.3 | 70% | 1% | 2.5% |
| 4–12 in (Ap2) | Clay | 8.3 | 70% | 1% | 2.5% |
| 12–17 in (Ap3) | Clay | 8.3 | 70% | 1% | 2% |
| 17–22 in (BAp) | Clay | 8.1 | 67% | 1% | 1.7% |
| 22–29 in (Bkng1) | Clay | 8.2 | 67% | 2% | 1.5% |
| 29–39 in (Bkng2) | Clay | 8.1 | 70% | 1% | 1.4% |
| 39–52 in (Bkng3) | Clay | 8.1 | 69% | 1% | 1.9% |
| 52–58 in (Bkkng) | Clay | 8.2 | 59% | 3% | 5% |
| 58–74 in (B'kng4) | Silty clay | 8.0 | 52% | 3% | 4.6% |
| 74–87 in (Bknyg) | Clay | 7.9 | 69% | 1% | 2.1% |
What this means
What Tulare soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems
For gardens
Typical topsoil in Tulare soils is moderately alkaline: pH 8.3. Acid-loving plants such as blueberries and azaleas struggle without amended beds, and some trees and shrubs show iron chlorosis (yellow leaves with green veins).
Clayey topsoil covers 100% of mapped Tulare acres. Clay holds water and nutrients but drains slowly and compacts if worked wet: add compost, avoid tilling soggy soil and consider raised beds. The most common surface texture is clay (100% of mapped Tulare acres).
100% of mapped Tulare 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 Tulare 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.
Flooding is mapped on 100% of the acres (99% occasional, 0% frequent).
Only a licensed site evaluation or perc test at the actual lot decides whether a system is allowed and which design.
Where Tulare soil is found
Mapped acres
Tulare is mapped in California.
| County | Acres | Share of county land |
|---|---|---|
| Kings County, CA | 106,012 | 11.7% |
Septic absorption fields
NRCS rating, share of Tulare acres
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Not limited | 0.0% |
| Somewhat limited | 0.0% |
| Very limited | 100.0% |
Drainage, water table and flooding
Share of Tulare acres
- Depth to seasonal high water table
- About 3.9 feet (47 in) (median where reported).
- Flooding
- Mapped as flooding on 100% of acres (99% occasional, 0% frequent).
- Slope
- Typically 0–0% (median 0%).
- Topsoil organic matter
- Median 2.5%.
Drainage class
Show as a table
| 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
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly) | 0.0% |
| B: moderate infiltration | 0.0% |
| C: slow infiltration | 100.0% |
| 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 | 0.0% |
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 Tulare (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 106,012 acres.
- Method
- Shares are by mapped acres of Tulare components. The profile comes from the single largest Tulare component. Full methodology.