What Are The Types of Soil in Florida?

The Sunshine State is one of the most popular places in America to visit, especially if you’re a fan of plant life. Palm trees, exotic flowers, and rare plants in the Everglades all make this place a horticulturist’s paradise. If you just moved to the area and want to start your own garden, you need to know what kind of soil you have. Thankfully, there’s a little research-filled guide you can refer to…ours!

Florida has a wide range of different soils, many of which are location-specific. The most common soils found on Florida properties include:

When discussing soil types, it’s common for people to use terms like peat or loam. We’re not going to do that in this article, primarily because those aren’t actually science-based. We’re using the scientific names for the soil because it’s going to be a lot more descriptive and accurate. It’s just the smart thing to do.

In terms of Florida’s soil types, we want to note that Florida is exceptionally varied when it comes to the soil it has. There a dozen different soil types found across all 50 states in the Union. Count ’em out—12. The state of Florida has seven of the 12 types within its borders, something few other states can claim.

One of the most common types of soil you will find in Florida is entisols. These are soils that don’t have much of a profile or horizon, often because the top layer of their soil has been swept away by erosion. Though they’re not very developed, these soils can be made from a wide range of different starter materials. It gives them a very “conglomerate” type of feel.

Oftentimes, it’s hard to work with entisols because there are so many different nutrients. If you can avoid using the entisol area, do. However, heavy nourishing and treatment can often improve the area. The same can be said with plant life. This soil is found in Southern Florida, the central part of the state, as well as parts of the panhandle.

Histosols are what most people associate with peat or “bog soil.” In their natural environment, they’re moisture-rich and filled to the brim with nutrients. This makes them great for gardening, if you live in the area. Trying to bring histosols outside of the swamp doesn’t really work well since it dries up fast. If you can retain the moisture, it can be great soil for your garden.

These are mostly found in swampy areas like the Everglades or other parts of South Florida.

When it comes to soil development, inseptisols are just above entisols. They have a little bit of development, but don’t have much in terms of soil coating. The base of an area that is covered with inseptisols is usually a firm layer of bedrock. So, getting very deep roots in this area can prove to be challenging.

How good these can be for gardening varies greatly, mostly depending on the nutrients and plant matter in and around the area. For the most part, they tend to have a lot of plant matter that makes growth easy. This is why they are exceptionally popular in agriculture. You might find these near the Everglades.

Utisols are alfisols’ twerpy cousin. Like alfisols, they are chock-full of nutrients that plants love. Unlike alfisols, they tend to have slightly less than the norm because they don’t hold as much organic matter. They also tend to be more acidic than most other types of soil. Using some additives to increase the alkalinity of your soil will do the trick.

A large portion of Florida is made of utisols. If you see clay around the surface of your soil and have a decent amount of plants nearby, you probably have utisol soil.

Spodosols have what’s called a “spodic surface.” This means that they have a high level of both iron and aluminum as part of their soil part. The problem with spodosols is that they tend to have too much sand. This makes it hard (or downright impossible) to retain the water plants need to thrive. You could say that working with this soil is rough terrain.

Much of central Florida has spodosols as the terrain type they have. If you have this, you will need to have a lot of soil aids in order to make it workable.

Mollisols are the best possible soil you can use for a garden or a farm, which is why it’s considered to be as good as its weight in gold. They’re nutrient-rich. They have a great ability to absorb water and spread it out evenly. Plants adore mollisols. You can even transport it. However, there’s one reason why this entry might be disappointing.

The problem with mollisols is that they’re pretty rare in Florida. Some parts of the panhandle have them, but that’s about it. If you live in an area that is characterized by mollisols, consider yourself lucky.

Soil types are easy to match up via description, but it’s okay if the writeups aren’t enough for you. A good alternative way to figure out your soil type is to go to a local landscaping company and ask them. You can also use a soil pH test to find out if your soil is more acidic, and check out photos of each soil type to determine which type it most closely resembles.

If you are looking to plant some very soil-sensitive plants (such as Venus flytraps) you might want to consider getting your soil fully tested by a professional landscaping crew. They will be able to tell you the makeup of your soil, what nutrients you’re low in, and what you can do to maximize your soil’s health. Though it can be pricey, it’s usually a good choice for avid gardeners.

Related Questions

What is the most common type of soil in Florida?

The most common types of soil in Florida tend to be very sand and clay-rich. This can include spodosols, inseptisols, and utisols. In laymen’s terms, it’s sand, sandy soil, clay loam, sandy loam, and sandy clay loam. In other words, it’s exactly what you would expect from a place that’s as beach-heavy as Florida.Once in a while, you also might sand-free soil types. However, that’s in the minority as Florida is a peninsula and boasts a unique ecosystem of its own.

Does Florida have rich soils?

It depends on your definition. Florida absolutely has a rich range of soil varieties found in the state. However, most of Florida is marked by heavy amounts of white quartz in the sand. This makes it a spodosol-heavy state. While it may be bad for people who want to have a super-lush garden, it is great for those who enjoy the white sand beaches the Sunshine State is known for.While most of Florida isn’t quite good in terms of soil quality, there are pockets of this state that have remarkably fertile soil. Moreover, many plants actually do fairly well in sandy areas. So, don’t write off gardening quite yet.

What grows best in sandy soil?

If you want to grow a garden, Florida might seem like a bad place. However, the loose soil types found here make it a great place for a root vegetable garden. Potatoes, carrots, yams, and radishes all get better growth here. The looseness of the soil means that the plants are free to grow as big as they want to and that they will be able to get adequate moisture.Other options include leafy greens like cabbage, as well as citrus trees. Who doesn’t like lime from the Keys?