Polk County, Florida
The most common soil here is Candler, on about 8% of the land: a sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Pomona and Smyrna come next.
About 18% of the land drains well, and 62% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 59% of it.
USDA rates 89% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 64% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% of the land floods occasionally or more.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Polk County, Florida, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 64% 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 89% 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.