Polk County, Florida

Survey Area FL105• Florida

The dominant drainage class is Poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A/D (varies with drainage). 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 Polk County, Florida. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map Unit	Acres	Drainage	Hydro Group	Dwellings	Septic
Smyrna and Myakka fine sands	145K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	105K			Not rated	Not rated
Candler sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes	97K	Excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Pomona fine sand	92K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Samsula muck, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	54K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Tavares fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes	54K	Moderately well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Hontoon muck, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	50K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Hydraquents, clayey	49K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Arents-Water complex	38K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Astatula sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes	35K	Excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Arents, 0 to 5 percent slopes	34K	Moderately well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Immokalee sand	30K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Kaliga muck, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	26K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Neilhurst sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes	24K	Excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Basinger fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes	23K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Basinger mucky fine sand, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	22K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Sparr sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes	20K	Somewhat poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Placid and Myakka fine sands, depressional	18K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Floridana mucky fine sand, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	18K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Adamsville fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes	17K	Somewhat poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very 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.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Spodosols

Acidic forest soils with a leached layer. Common under conifers. Often have drainage issues from a compacted subsoil layer.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 63% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 88% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.

Gardening & Agriculture

Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.