Dec 31 2008
The Sand Bar State
I sometimes refer to Florida as the “Sand Bar State.” While I like the conventional sand bars that rim the coast — they can provide nice breaks for surfing — I’m not terribly fond of the soil we have here.
Did I call it soil? It’s sand, as you can see in the above photo of a particularly bare spot in our backyard. Additionally, it is a very fine type of sand, “sugar sand.” Pour water on it and the water will pool on top. Before eventually seeping in.
Winter is the dry season in Florida. That’s why we get springtime wild fires. The new growth generated during the wet summer months dies back and non-irrigated yards and natural areas turn brown and brittle. Kick hard enough and you’ll make your way down to sand. The whole state is a massive sand bar sticking out into the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.
Oh sure, Florida has many nice things about it. But the soil isn’t one of them.
