How to Test Your Soil for Free (and Why You Should Do It)
If you have problems with low-growing vegetables, poor flowering and/or poorly flowering trees, there are only two likely culprits: soil and water. They will have the greatest impact on your plants, but most people never test their soil.
For many years I did not experiment, convinced that I could make good soil with compost. The fact is, soil tests provide vital information about your soil’s pH balance, physical composition, and nutrient base. The data you get from a soil test can help you understand what specific nutrients should be fed to the soil, as well as what content is needed to break it down, whether it’s more sand, more clay, or more organic matter. And if you live in the right states, you can get a free soil test.
Most states have certain provisions for free testing. For example, earlier this year, New York City opened up applications for free soil testing to people who either have a community garden or grow food for the community. Even if your state doesn’t offer free testing, your county or city may. The best way to find out is to search for “[your county/city/state], free soil testing.” Some of these programs are seasonal or run for a limited time, usually in the summer and fall, so it’s always worth checking back year after year.
If you can’t have your soil tested for free, I highly recommend paying for it, even if it’s just one time. Tests cost between $20 and $60; When you consider how much you’ll spend on soil fertilizer, it’s worth it.
States that offer free or low-cost soil testing
Arkansas
In Arkansas, routine soil testing is free as long as the soil comes from Arkansas and the person providing the sample is an Arkansas resident.
Connecticut
The State of Connecticut offers free soil testing to state residents.
Florida
The University of Florida Extension provides free soil pH tests .
Idaho
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare offers free soil lead testing to residents.
Illinois
Free soil lead testing is provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Kansas
Johnson County residents can obtain free soil testing through Kansas State University.
Kentucky
Kentucky Cooperative Extension offices providesoil testing services for a reasonable fee or may be free, depending on the county.
Louisiana
Lafayette residents can obtain free soil testing through Louisiana State University.
Maine
No free testing, but inexpensive ($20) tests are available at the University of Maine.
Massachusetts
Barnstable residents can get free soil testing through Cape Cod Extension.
Montana
RiverStone Health provides seasonal free testing.
Nebraska
Inexpensive tests ($15) are available through AgSource.
New Jersey
Inexpensive ($9) tests are offered by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory.
New York
The Urban Soil Institute offers free soil testing for heavy metals .
North Carolina
North Carolina offers free soil testing if you apply between April 1 and the end of November.
Oklahoma
Low-cost ($10) tests are available through Cleveland County Extension.
Oregon
Soil Screening, Health, Outreach and Partnership provides free soil lead testing .
Pennsylvania
Primex Garden Center provides free soil pH testing .
Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island’s Master Gardener program offers free soil testing .
South Carolina
Carolina Fresh Farms provides free soil testing for lawns.
Tennessee
No free testing, but low cost ($15) provided by UT.
Utah
You can request a free soil assessment from the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.
Vermont
UVM offers free soil testing seasonally .
Virginia
Virginia Green, a private company, offers free soil testing for lawns.
Washington
UCD offers free soil testing every spring.
West Virginia
West Virginia University offers free soil testing to residents.
Wisconsin
The Departments of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), the University of Wisconsin-Extension and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are collaborating to offer a series of free workshops on soil testing and soil health.
Wyoming
Unita County provides basic soil testing kits that analyze soil pH, nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus levels. Bring soil samples any time throughout the year to have them analyzed; the first test is free.