Lawn and Garden Soil Test Drive
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Collapse ▲April 1 – November 25
Soil testing is the only accurate way to know if you should add lime or nutrients to your lawn or garden.
Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers with N.C. Cooperative Extension -Chatham County Center encourage Chatham County residents and gardeners to have their soil tested 2-3 months before installing new plantings, and every 3-4 years for established lawns and gardens. Learn about the benefits of soil testing.
Between April 1 and November 25, county residents can drop off completed soil samples to the Chatham County Center, located on the western (left) side of the Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center, 1192 US 64 W Business, Pittsboro. Find us on Google Maps.
Retrieve boxes and forms from the drawers in the red toolbox. Place completed soil samples in the container on top of the toolbox.
Samples will be delivered to the soil test lab operated by the NC Department of Agriculture – Agronomic Services Division, in Raleigh, at no charge, as follows:
- Samples will be delivered at the end of each month, typically on or near the last Friday of the month (see schedule below)
- Samples dropped off earlier in the month will be held for end-of-the-month delivery.
- The last delivery in a year will be made on November 26, so please drop off samples by Nov 25th.
- Samples dropped off on or after Nov. 25th will be held for April delivery.
There is no charge for soil testing most of the year. Between April 1 and November 30, NCDA Agronomic Services processes soil samples at no charge for NC residents. During the peak season, Nov 27 – March 31, there is a $4 per sample fee. We do NOT deliver samples during the peak season.
Individuals can expect to receive their results by email, typically two to three weeks after samples are delivered. You will receive an email confirming your samples have been delivered and letting you know when you should expect your results. Results are also posted online on the Agronomic Services Division’s PALS website.
To collect and submit samples, you will need:
- A box for each unique area you plan to sample. For example, 1 box for your vegetable garden, another for your lawn. Problem areas should also be sampled separately and get their own box.
- A Lawn and Garden Soil Sample Information Sheet. You may enter up to six samples (boxes) on one sheet.
- A Soil Sampling Home Lawns and Gardens Brochure. This will instruct you on how to take good samples.
These supplies are available from every county Extension center. Find your local center.
Pick-up and Delivery Schedule
| Samples dropped off between: | Will be delivered on: |
| April 1 – April 24, 2024 | April 26 |
| April 24 – May 29, 2024 | May 31 |
| May 29 – June 26, 2024 | June 28 |
| June 26 – July 24, 2024 | July 26 |
| July 26 – August 28, 2024 | August 30 |
| August 28 – September 25, 2024 | September 27 |
| September 25 – October 23, 2024 | October 25 |
| October 25 – November 25, 2024 | November 26 |
Tips for collecting good samples:
- Sample lawn and garden areas every 2-3 years for sandy soils, every 3 – 4 years for clay soils
- Sample each unique area separately
- Collect 10-12 random samples from each unique area and blend them together to fill one box
- Take samples 4” deep for lawns, 4-6” for gardens
- If soil is wet, allow it to dry before putting in boxes — do not put a plastic bag inside the soil sample box
- Fill boxes to the red fill line
- Do not tape boxes shut
See more lawn and garden soil testing tips from the Agronomic Services Division.
Drop off completed samples to Extension’s Chatham County Center by the last Friday of the month. Be sure to include a completed Lawn and Garden Soil Sample Information Sheet with your samples.
Tips for filling in the Lawn and Garden Soil Sample Information Sheet:
- Enter up to six samples (boxes) on one form
- You make up the sample ID—this can be letters or numbers and should be something easy for you to remember
- Select the planting code from page 2 that is the best match for what you are growing.
- Enter your contact information clearly—especially your email address!
When complete, your results will be sent to you by email (look for a message from AGRONOMIC LIMS), as well as posted online at http://www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/pals.
For help reading the soil test results, see this one-page guide or contact your local Extension center. A detailed publication on the soil test report is available, click here to download.
Learn more about soil testing in North Carolina.
If you have questions about soil sampling or gardening, you can speak to a Chatham County Extension Master Gardenersm volunteer during plant clinic hours, To contact a Master Gardenersm volunteer:
- Visit the Chatham County Center during plant clinic hours
- Call 919-542-8243
- Email chathamemgv@gmail.com