The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) has resumed testing soil samples submitted by the general public. To help limit the spread of COVID-19, the labs had previously restricted their testing to agriculture.
The labs continue to operate with reduced staffing and turnaround time for routine soil sample results may be longer than usual. Soil testing is free from April through November.
Local gardeners can pick up soil sampling supplies outside the Durham County Cooperative Extension building at 721 Foster Street, Durham. Drive around to the back of the building to find the supplies in a box on the railing at the back entrance. See photo.
You can pick up both the home and lawn forms (and the more extensive farmer form), instructions on how to submit a sample, and of course soil boxes.
You will need to deliver the samples to the lab yourself by mail or in person (but contact-free). The mailing address is: 1040 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1040. The physical address is: 4300 Reedy Creek Road, Raleigh. The lab is in the Eaddy Building. Once you arrive at the building drop off the sample at the loading dock. The entrance gate will be open during normal business hours and closed during the evenings and on weekends.