Happy Spring!  As gardening gets into full force, we have received several questions about soil testing, and what information you, as a homeowner, can gather from your current soil to cultivate the most beautiful blooms or the tastiest tomatoes.

Soil Testing

The N.C. Department of Agriculture offers soil testing year-round, and free of charge from April 1^st to November 30^th (a $4.00 per sample fee is assessed during “Peak Season’, from December 1^stto March 31^st).

Pick up a box and instructions for submission from your local N.C. Cooperative Extension office.  Mail your samples to Raleigh, and the results will be mailed to you, generally within a few weeks.  Both the NCDA and N.C. Cooperative Extension have publications that can help you read your results and make the best decisions for soil amendments.

For more information about soil tests and resources, visit our Soil Testing Kits page.

Heavy Metal Testing

To have your soil tested for heavy metals, you will need to contact a private laboratory.

While not an exhaustive list, Pace Analytical in Asheville, NC and Waters Agricultural Laboratory in Warsaw, NC both provide heavy metal testing.

Pace Analytical – 828.254.7176

Waters Agricultural Laboratory – 910.293.2108

Well Testing

Buncombe County Environmental Health Services – 828.250.5016

Water Testing

Private laboratories such as Pace Analytical and Waters Agricultural Laboratory offer water testing services for water sources other than wells.

If you have any questions about your garden, or services available to you, feel free to call our offices at 828.255.5522.