LOCATION GIELOW CAEstablished Series
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic Cumulic Endoaquolls
TYPICAL PEDON: Gielow sandy loam - on a 2 percent slope in a grape vineyard at 590 feet elevation. (Colors are for dry soil unless otherwise stated. When described June 30, 1981, the soil was dry throughout.)
Ap1--0 to 4 inches; brown (10YR 5/3) sandy loam, very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; moderate medium and coarse subangular blocky structure parting to moderate very fine and fine subangular blocky; slightly hard, friable, nonsticky and nonplastic; many very fine roots; common very fine and fine and few coarse tubular pores; 5 percent 2 to 10 mm pebbles; moderately acid (pH 6.0); clear wavy boundary. (0 to 6 inches)
Ap2--4 to 8 inches; brown (10YR 5/3) loam, very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; moderate coarse and very coarse subangular blocky structure; slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and nonplastic; few very fine and common fine roots; common fine through coarse tubular pores; 5 percent 2 to 10 mm pebbles; moderately acid (pH 6.0); clear wavy boundary. (3 to 10 inches)
A1--8 to 11 inches; brown (10YR 5/3) loam, very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; moderate very coarse subangular blocky structure parting to moderate coarse subangular blocky; slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common very fine and few fine and coarse roots; common fine through coarse tubular pores; 5 percent 2 to 10 mm pebbles; moderately acid (pH 6.0); clear wavy boundary. (3 to 10 inches)
A2--11 to 18 inches; brown (10YR 5/3) sandy loam, very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; moderate coarse and very coarse subangular blocky structure; slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common very fine and coarse and few medium roots; common very fine and fine and few coarse tubular pores; 5 percent 2 to 10 mm pebbles; moderately acid (pH 6.0); gradual wavy boundary. (7 to 10 inches)
BAt--18 to 37 inches; brown (10YR 5/3) fine sandy loam, very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; common fine distinct mottles of brown (10YR 4/3) moist; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and nonplastic; few very fine and fine roots; common very fine and fine and few medium tubular pores; few thin and moderately thick clay films on peds and in pores; 5 percent 2 to 10 mm pebbles; slightly acid (pH 6.2); gradual wavy boundary. (11 to 20 inches)
Btg-37 to 48 inches; light brownish gray (2.5Y 6/2) sandy loam, dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) moist; common fine distinct mottles of brown (7.5YR 5/4) moist; massive; slightly hard, very friable, nonsticky and nonplastic; few very fine roots; common very fine through coarse tubular pores; common moderately thick clay films in pores; 5 percent 2 to 10 mm pebbles; neutral (pH 6.8); abrupt wavy boundary. (10 to 20 inches)
C--48 to 65 inches; light yellowish brown (2.5Y 6/4) sandy loam, brown (10YR 5/3) moist; massive; slightly hard, very friable, nonsticky and nonplastic; few very fine and fine roots; common very fine through coarse tubular pores; 5 percent 2 to 10 mm pebbles; neutral (pH 7.0). (10 to 25 inches)
TYPE LOCATION: Mendocino County, California; 0.3 mile west of Eastside Road and 150 feet south of Gielow Lane, Talmage, California; 530,800 feet north and 1,669,400 feet east, Zone 2, California coordinate system, Yokayo Rancheria, Elledge Peak 7 1/2 minute Quadrangle.
RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS: Gielow soils are more than 60 inches deep. Mean annual soil temperature is 55 to 59 degrees F. The soil between the depths of 8 and 21 inches is dry in all parts from July 1 to October 15 and is moist the rest of the year. The particle-size control section is 18 to 27 percent clay. Base saturation is more than 50 percent throughout the profile. Organic carbon decreases irregularly with depth. Mollic epipedon is 24 inches thick or more and has mottles in the lower part. Reaction is medium acid to neutral. Gravel fragment content is 0 to 10 percent throughout the profile.
The A horizon is 10YR 5/2 or 5/3. Moist colors are 10YR 2/1, 3/1, or 3/2. It is sandy loam or loam.
The BAt and Btg horizons are; 2.5Y 6/2, 6/3 or 6/4. Moist colors are 2.5Y 4/2 or 4/4. It is stratified loam, fine sandy loam, sandy loam, or sandy clay loam with 15 to 27 percent clay.
COMPETING SERIES: These are the Coland, Comfrey, Delft, Glencoe, James Canyon, Keddie, Kimmerling, Konner, McClave, Peoh, Romnell, Shandep and Wenas series. All these soils except McClure have a mean annual soil temperature of less than 54 degrees F. McClure soils lack Bt horizons.
GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: Gielow soils are on alluvial plains and fans. Slopes are 0 to 5 percent. Elevations are 500 to 1,750 feet. The soils are formed in alluvium from sedimentary rocks. The climate is subhumid with hot dry summers and cool moist winters. Mean annual precipitation is 32 to 55 inches. Mean annual temperature is 54 to 57 degrees F. Frost-free season is 175 to 250 days.
GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are Cole, Russian, Feliz and Talmage soils. All these soils are xeric and thermic.
DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY: Somewhat poorly drained, very slow to slow runoff, moderate permeability.
USE AND VEGETATION: This soil is used for vineyards, orchards, hay and pasture, wildlife and watershed, and limited homesite developments. Natural vegetation is annual and perennial grasses and forbs, occasional sedges and scattered oaks.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Northern coastal California. The soils are not extensive.
MLRA SOIL SURVEY REGIONAL OFFICE (MO) RESPONSIBLE: Davis, California
SERIES ESTABLISHED: Mendocino County, California 1985.
REMARKS: The classification was updated in February 2001 using the Eighth Edition to Soil Taxonomy. This series was formerly classified as fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Cumulic Haplaquolls. Competing series were not checked at that time.