Hernando County, Florida

Survey Area FL053 Florida

The dominant drainage class is Excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Hernando County, Florida. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Candler fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes 90K Excessively drainedANot limitedVery limited
Nobleton fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes 17K Somewhat poorly drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Arredondo fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes 16K Well drainedANot limitedVery limited
Aripeka-Okeelanta-Lauderhill association 15K Very poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery limited
Candler fine sand, 5 to 8 percent slopes 13K Excessively drainedANot limitedVery limited
Sparr fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes 12K Somewhat poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery limited
Okeelanta-Terra Ceia association 12K Very poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery limited
Blichton loamy fine sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes 9K Poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery limited
Flemington fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes 8K Poorly drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Kendrick fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes 8K Well drainedANot limitedSomewhat limited
Waters of the Gulf of America 8K Not ratedNot rated
Micanopy loamy fine sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes 8K Somewhat poorly drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Wauchula fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes 7K Poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery limited
Myakka-Myakka, wet, fine sands, 0 to 2 percent slopes 7K Poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery limited
Tavares fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes 6K Moderately well drainedASomewhat limitedVery limited
Pits-Dumps complex 5K Not ratedNot rated
Lake fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes 5K Excessively drainedANot limitedVery limited
Masaryk very fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes 5K Moderately well drainedASomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Homosassa mucky fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 5K Very poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery limited
Basinger fine sand, depressional, 0 to 1 percent slopes 4K Very poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery limited

Soil Orders in This Area

The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.

Entisols
Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.
Ultisols
Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.
Alfisols
Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.
Mollisols
Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.
Histosols
Organic peat and muck soils formed in wetlands. Very poor for building (compressible) and septic. Often in regulated wetlands.
Spodosols
Acidic forest soils with a leached layer. Common under conifers. Often have drainage issues from a compacted subsoil layer.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 39% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.

Septic Systems

About 89% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.

Gardening & Agriculture

Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.

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