Pearcedale sandy clay loam

Symbol: Pe

Geology - Recent alluvium

Landform - Alluvial plain

Soils

This soil type occurs in the lower parts of the landscape. Most of the soils are dark grey sandy clay loams overlying, at about 250 mm, grey sandy clay loams often with fine rusty brown mottles associated with old root channels. This layer is generally, but not always bleached. Mottled grey and yellow-brown medium to heavy clays occur from about 400 mm and extend to at least 1.8 m.

Typical profile of Pearcedale sandy clay loam

0 - 250 mm. Dark grey sandy clay loam, clear transition to:

250 - 400 mm. Grey mottled with rusty brown sandy clay loam, clear transition to:

400 mm continuing. Grey with yellow-brown mottles medium to heavy clay.

Land use

External drainage is generally poor on these soils and in many situations surface ponding occurs after rain. These soils are rarely cultivated and are mainly used for grazing cattle. However, where areas of Pearcedale sandy clay loam adjoin Cranbourne sand, the surface soils are deeper and generally sandy loams rather than sandy clay loams. Given good external and internal drainage these soils can be used for horticultural crops.

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