November marks the beginning of the holiday season, and the end of the free soil sample analysis; but who’s thinking about gardening in the fall? Fall is the perfect time to sample your soil, get the results, and amend your garden, lawn, or field. Some nutrients and soil pH can take months to change, so start planning for next spring and summer now! 

Starting December 1, soil samples are $4.00 a sample again, but as long as the samples make it to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Soil Lab before then they’re free. Start by stopping by the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Currituck County Center at 120 Community Way, Barco N.C.,  and pick up a few soil sample boxes. At our office, we’ll walk you through how to correctly take samples, we’ll send them off for FREE, and we’ll help

If you need a quick refresher on how to take soil samples, view the video above, just remember to only fill the boxes with dry soil, and to follow the instructions on the side of the box. Once your samples are collected, you can drop them off at the Currituck County office and we’ll get those samples shipped out for you. Be sure to hurry, if the samples don’t arrive at the lab by December 1, they’ll be $4.00 a sample. Once your samples are sent, it may take 4 weeks to get the results due to peak season numbers. For help interpreting the results, view the video below. You can also call the Extension office for assistance and recommendations.

For additional soil sample information, or for other horticulture or agriculture questions, contact Adam Formella at (252) 232-2261 or by email at adam_formella@ncsu.edu.