April 1 - Nov. 22

NC State 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 2-3 years for established lawns and gardens. Learn about the benefits of soil testing.

Between April 1st and November 22nd, 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.

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 of the year will be made on November 23rd, so please drop off samples by Nov 22nd.
• Samples dropped off on or after Nov. 23rd will be held for April delivery.
  

There is no charge for soil testing most of the year. Between April 1 and Thanksgiving, NCDA&CS Agronomic Services processes soil samples at no charge for NC residents.

The new peak season fee of $5 per sample begins November 26 and runs through March 31, 2027.

There will be NO deliveries made during the peak season.

Individuals can expect to receive their results by email, typically two to three weeks after samples are delivered.  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, one box for your vegetable garden, another for your lawn. Problem areas should also be sampled separately and get their own box.
• A Homeowner Soil Submission Form. You may enter up to six samples (boxes) on one sheet.
  • Better yet, submit your form online (Instruction Guide for Submitting Online).
  • If you submit online, you must still print a confirmation for the sample to be processed.
• Do you have a farm, managed forest, or pasture? Use the Commercial Soil Sample Form instead
• Review this soil sampling guide for accurate results.

These supplies are available from every N.C. Cooperative Extension County Center, but most NCCE County Centers do not offer free delivery by Extension Master Gardener Volunteers. Find your local center.

Tips for collecting good samples:

• Sample lawn and garden areas every 2-3 years.
• 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 at the NCCE Chatham County Center according to the schedule above. Be sure to include a completed Homeowner Soil Submission Form. If submitting electronically, please print off the form to accompany the box.

Tips for filling in the Homeonwer Soil Submission Form:

• 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 and completely—especially your email address!

When complete, your results should be sent to you by email (look for a message from AGRONOMIC LIMS), as well as posted on the Customer Portal for Agronomic Laboratory Services.

For help reading the soil test results, see this one-page guide or contact your local Extension center.

Learn more about soil testing in North Carolina.

If you have questions about soil sampling or gardening, you can speak to a NC State Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteer in Chatham County

• Visit the Chatham County Center during plant clinic hours: MW 1:00 -4:00. F 9:00-12:00
• Call 919-542-8206
• Email chathamemgv@gmail.com