Evaluating the Soil Profile Proper diagnosis of a soil's physical problem is essential to developing an economic, effective resolution. Identifying the orchard's soil types and soil profile also helps tremendously in managing pecan orchard soils. For most farming areas, there are accurate maps of soil types and characteristics. The maps are available from your local NRCS office or your county Extension office. A soil map contains information about soil texture, depth, presence of restricting layers within the profile, and chemical limitations for specific areas.
Soil maps are a good source of information and offer accurate information about fairly small areas.
In addition to using soil maps, be sure to evaluate your soil profile to a 7-foot depth in all soil types encountered in your orchard. A backhoe is an extremely useful tool in site evaluation and diagnosis of soil problems. Further, backhoeing can be used to determine the extent of a problem within the profile or across the field. Trenches dug in different areas of the field easily reveal the nature of any textural strata or hardpan that would limit plant growth. Such investigation also is extremely valuable in determining the appropriate and economic modifications to eliminate or mitigate the problem.