What NCDA Soil Test Kits test for:
NCDA Soil Test Kits Soil testing evaluate soil fertility through extraction of nutrients (excluding nitrogen) essential in plant nutrition. Plant available nutrients are converted to an index to help you determine sufficiency or toxicity that can be assessed, and site-specific fertilizer recommendations are then determined. Soil acidity and pH are also measured to evaluate liming needs. The results of soil testing can be used in nutrient management strategies to optimize crop yields, profitability and protect natural resources from excessive fertilizer or nutrient application.
How to pick up Soil Test Kit in Buncombe County:
To pick up your NCDA Soil Test Kit, simply stop by our office located at 49 Mount Carmel Road, Asheville NC, 28806. At our front door entrance, you will see a table by the right-hand side of the door that has a box where soil test kits, sampling instructions, and the sample test form will be located. You can stop by anytime both in and outside of office hours to pick up your test kit and test form.
Cost of Soil Sample:
- From April 1 - late November, NCDA&CS soil tests are free of charge to N.C. residents.
- During Peak Soil Season, soil tests are $5 per sample. The exact start date of the fee season varies by year but generally begins during the last week of November and no later than December 1. The start of the fee season is posted on the Agronomic Division website well in advance. Check the NCDA website to verify this date each year.
How to ship off Soil Test Kit once sample is collected:
You can submit your sample in one of two ways:
Once you have completed the information online, print the entire submission form and include it with your samples.
Submit samples manually:
Predictive, routine samples- Complete the Soil Sample Submission Form for Homeowners, print it, and include it with your samples.
Diagnostic sample-. Complete the Soil Sample Submission Form-Diagnostic, print it, and include it with your samples. Diagnostic testing is for problem samples only. Samples submitted without diagnostic information will be analyzed as predictive.
To send off your soil sample, simply mail your sample at the nearest post office or UPS/Fedex location using the following addresses:
UPS or FedEx: 4300 Reedy Creek Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607
US Postal Service: 1040 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699. Allow additional time for delivery.
How to Interpret a Soil Report:
See the following publication on how to interpret a soil test report from the NCDA. You can also reach out to your local extension office and we would be glad to help you interpret your soil test results as well. You can contact us here in Buncombe County by calling 828-255-5522 or stop by during business hours and we would be happy to assist you.