Most gardeners’ soil questions can be answered with a test available from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. During peak season, from November 27 to March 31, the test costs $4. The rest of the year, it’s free.
For our scientist readers: The test analyzes Mehlich-3 extractable phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, sodium, zinc, manganese, and copper, humic matter, pH and Mehlich buffer pH, weight per volume. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) and base saturation are calculated and provided. The test results contain agronomists comments and links for more information.
Samples must be submitted in NCDA&CS soil sample boxes; they are available at your NC State Cooperative Extension Office. New Hanover’s office is at the arboretum at 6206 Oleander Dr.; in Pender at 801 S. Walker St. in Burgaw and in Brunswick at 25 Referendum Dr. in Bolivia.
“Turnaround time for a soil report can be only two weeks from sample submission,” says Jagathi Kamalakanthan, a soil agronomist with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
