The climate is warmer than the piedmont, with a longer growing season, and opportunities for diverse cropping systems. Atlantic coastal plain soils generally have deeper profiles than valley or piedmont soils, with alluvial areas along terraced flood plains. Soils can be fertile, but can also be high in sand in areas, low in clay, and organic matter, and prone to drought. The low clay and organic matter content of the soils also indicates decreased capacity to hold nutrients against the forces of leaching. Nutrients will leach more readily through the soil, creating the need to apply split applications of fertilizers.
Farms are generally larger in size and consist almost entirely of cash grain crops.
Crop rotations of small grains , corn and double crop soybeans are common, with increasing interest in grain sorghum which is more drought tolerant than corn. Tillage techniques vary from no-till to conventional tillage. No-till has advantages on the light, sandy soils because the corn or soybean stubble holds water, adds organic matter, controls weeds, and prevents erosion. However, this region has a warmer climate, and no-till can increase disease and pest problems in crops planted in soybean or corn stubble, creating the need for more fungicides and insecticides. Conventional tillage reduces these pest and disease problems, but the benefits, especially added water holding and increased weed control, are lost.