New York vineyards are often unirrigated and so the depth of top soil often determines how well vines will cope with an extended dry period. Minimum depth should be 30 inches (75cm), 40 (100cm) is preferred and additional benefits are obtained up to 5 or 6 feet (150 or 180cm) Jordan et al. (1980). In some instances shallower soils may be an advantage if excess vigor is a problem. Like most soils in New York the soils in Seneca County are deep, greater than 50 inches. Within the county there are small areas of soil that are much shallower than most 30 to 37 inches. These soils are maily along the western shore of Lake Cayuga and around the Seneca River.
Methodology used in construction of soil maps