This year, NC will be instituting a peak-season soil test fee of $4 from December through March. If you are planning to have your soil tested before spring, please submit your samples in November if you wish to avoid the fee.

Soil test kits are available at the Cooperative Extension office at 721 Foster Street. Collected samples can also be dropped off at the office.

Why do we recommend soil tests? Without the information a soil test provides, a homeowner has to guess how much fertilizer to apply to lawns, gardens, and landscape beds. If too little is applied, plants do not get all the nutrients they need to thrive. Too much fertilizer can burn plants, run off and pollute ground water and streams, and waste money.