Silt/clay Loam Sand/glacial till Quarry City dump Lake
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Soils in Northampton are generally in one of three categories: sandy till, alluvial clay/silt, and outwash loam. Sandy till exists on 65% of the land in Northampton, and is concentrated in the hills to the west and north. Alluvial clay/silt makes up 20% of the soil, with the largest deposit along the Connecticut River. Other deposits are scattered along the Mill River and smaller streams throughout the municipality. Outwash loam is the least common of the three soil types, constituting about 15% of Northampton’s soils. It is found mostly in the center of the municipality under suburban development.
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Implications • Sandy till is the least productive soil type for cultivation; however, it can be used for growing perennial crops and well-managed grazing. • Alluvial clay/silt is fertile, yet drains poorly; crops accustomed to wet conditions can be successfully cultivated in this soil type. • Outwash loam is less fertile than alluvial clay/silt, but drains well, which allows for greatest crop variety. • Northampton’s three soil types can each support different types of food cultivation, and thus constitute an important natural resource for supporting local food security. Feed NorthamptoN invenTOry and analyses
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