Soil testing is the only accurate way to know if you should add nutrients to your lawn or garden.
Healthy soil is the foundation of successful gardening. Collecting soil samples only takes a few minutes and has many benefits — it can help you save money, result in healthier plants by telling you which nutrients are already in your soil, and protect water quality by preventing unnecessary fertilizer applications.
NC Department of Agriculture recommends submitting your form electronically for faster tracking of incoming samples. This is also where you can check your sample results. Current processing times are located here too.
Submit OnlineDownload a paper Homeowner Soil Submission Form to accompany your submitted sample boxes.
Download FormWhat Will Soil Testing Tell Me?
One of the most important things a soil test measures is soil pH — how acidic or basic your soil is. Soil pH in North Carolina ranges from about 3.5 (very acidic) to 8.0 (basic) or higher. Most ornamental plants, vegetables, fruits, and lawns prefer a pH of 5.5 to 6.5, though acid-loving plants such as azaleas, blueberries, and gardenias prefer a pH between 5.0 and 5.5.
Soil testing is the only way to know if your soil is too acidic, whether you need lime to raise pH, and if so how much. Soil test results will also tell you which nutrients to apply for the plants you are growing.
Soil test results will not determine whether there are diseases or herbicide residues in your soil, or if poor drainage or compaction are causing plant problems. If you suspect these issues, contact the Nash County Cooperative Extension office for advice.
When Should I Sample?
Soil samples can be submitted for testing any time of the year. Submit samples several months before you plan to plant to allow time for results and soil amendments.
Results are usually ready within a few weeks and are posted online. Winter and spring are the lab's busiest seasons — samples submitted during these times may take longer to process. Check current processing times before submitting.
How Do I Submit Samples?
Soil sample boxes and submission forms are available free of charge at the Nash County Cooperative Extension office, located at 1006 Eastern Ave, Nashville, NC 27856.
During the free season (April – November), completed soil samples can be dropped off at the Nash County Cooperative Extension office. Completed samples should be submitted directly to the N.C. Department of Agriculture's soil testing lab. The mailing address is printed on the sample box and submission form.
NC Department of Agriculture recommends submitting your submission form electronically for better tracking. You can also use a paper Homeowner Soil Submission Form — both methods require a printed copy of the form to accompany your sample boxes.
For questions about submitting samples, contact Colby Griffin, Nash County Horticulture Agent, at colby_griffin@ncsu.edu or 252-459-9810.
What Does It Cost?
Samples submitted from April 1 through Thanksgiving are analyzed free of charge. North Carolina is one of the few states to offer soil testing at no direct cost to residents during most of the year, thanks to funding from a statewide tax on commercial fertilizer.
A peak season fee of $5 per sample is charged for each sample submitted between Thanksgiving and March 31.
How Do I Collect Samples?
Collect samples from different areas of your yard where you are growing different things — for example, separate samples from your lawn, vegetable garden, and flower beds.
Use a stainless steel trowel and collect samples about 6 inches deep. For each area, aim to collect a total of about a cup and a half of soil by combining several random samples from that area. Sample areas where plants are not growing well separately to identify potential pH or nutrient issues.
For detailed instructions, visit the NCDA Agronomic Services website or contact the Nash County Cooperative Extension office.
How Do I Get My Results?
When complete, your results will be sent to you by email (look for a message from AGRONOMIC LIMS) and posted online at the NCDA Agronomic Services website.
For help reading your soil test results, contact the Nash County Cooperative Extension office at 252-459-9810 or colby_griffin@ncsu.edu.