Some areas have a mantle of loess as much as 15 inches in thickness in the upper part of the solum. The mean annual precipitation ranges from 29 to 35 inches, mean annual air temperature ranges from 48 to 54 degrees F., frost free days range from 140 to 180 days, and the elevation ranges from 680 to 1020 feet above sea level. These are the competing Ringwood soils and the Pella and Elburn soils. The well drained Ringwood soils are on similar landform positions nearby. The poorly drained Pella and somewhat poorly drained Elburn soils are on lower lying landforms.
Surface runoff is medium or slow.
Permeability is moderate. Most areas of Griswold soils are cropped. Corn, soybeans, small grain, and meadow are the principal crops. Some areas are used for pasture. Native vegetation is prairie grass.