Charlottetown (soil series)

Charlottetown soil series is the name given to a deep fine sandy loam soil which has developed under forest vegetation on glacial till. This series occurs only on Prince Edward Island, where it is widespread and so important for agriculture that it has been designated as the Provincial Soil.

This soil is an Orthic Humo-Ferric Podzol in the Canadian soil classification system. It has good moisture-holding capacity and is well drained. It warms quickly in the spring; this is an important virtue in a region where spring comes late. It is easy to work and is not excessively stony. Few other Podzols, or other Prince Edward Island soils, have the same desirable traits as the Charlottetown.

Like all Podzols, the Charlottetown is strongly acidic unless it is limed. It is largely used to grow potatoes, which depend on the Charlottetown's natural acidity to produce scab-free yields. It is also noted for its vivid red color for which Prince Edward Island is famous.

• Info PEI: Provincial Soil. Archived 2007-10-09 at the Wayback Machine
• Soils of Prince Edward Island Agriculture Canada Research Branch, 1988