Hi Cora, where exactly do you live? I live in Tallahassee and we are 8b, although my neighborhood tends toward 9. If you are near the Georgia border you would be similar. Just google plant zones and you can find out. The soil varies but toward the Ga border the soil should be less sandy and richer with various clays from red clay to sandy lighter clay. Its great agricultural land.

Call your county agricultural extension office and they can give you all the information you will need.
Good luck, Woods

Cora,

I'm in Jacksonville in the Southside, exactly five miles from the ocean's edge. (At *high tide*, heheheh!) I'm in Zone 9A. I plant anything I want, any time of year I want - it is warm enough here year-round that I don't worry about the weather. The only thing I do that involves timing, is purchase of flowering trees and shrubs like camellias, roses and crape myrtles. I have a rule that I never buy a perennial without actually *seeing* it in bloom as I just don't trust labellers. Once I've seen the flower, color, etc. with my own eyes, then I know I got what I wanted.

I somehow lucked out with some of the best soil in northeast Florida. My property may have used to dump the dredged soil when the lake was created (before the house was built), or maybe a former owner paid big bucks to put in good topsoil. I have no idea. Either way, I don't have any sand - only rich, beautiful dark soil. I am darn lucky to not have the sand I see in my parents' and sisters' yards and everywhere else.

Lake and house - did my topsoil come out of that lake?
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Zone map for reference:
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LTY, it's my guess that all that lovely dark soil in your yard DID indeed come from the "lake". (aka retention pond in some areas)My guess is you are probably in the Kensington area or thereabout. I'm currently in the Arlington area, but our farm is in Baker county. The zone map you've posted is unlike any I've seen before - thanks a bunch!

Woods, we noticed lots of clay had been pumped up where the well had been put down. The soil generally, is still pretty sandy. I figure we will need to add as much organic matter as we can because I want a "dirt garden" even though we will be installing a major aquaponics system. LOL! the kids usually humor me if they can. ;o)
cora