If you’re having trouble with undersized vegetables, a poor showing of flowers, and/or trees that aren’t flourishing, there are only two likely culprits: soil and water. These are going to have the greatest effect on your plants, and yet most people never get their soil tested.
For years, I didn’t test, convinced I could compost my way to good soil. The thing is, soil tests yield vital information about the pH balance of your soil, its physical composition, and the nutrient base. The data you receive from a soil test can help you understand what specific nutrients to feed your soil, and also what content is needed to break it up, be it more sand, more clay, or more organic matter. And if you live in the right states, you can get soil testing for free.
Most states have some qualifications for the free testing. For instance, New York opened up applications for free soil testing earlier this year for people who either have a community garden or grow food for communities. Even if your state doesn’t offer free testing, your county or city might. The best way to find out is to search for “[your county/city/state], free soil testing.” A number of these programs are seasonal or for a limited time, usually through the summer and fall, so it’s always worth checking year to year.
If you can’t get your soil tested for free, I highly recommend paying to get it tested, even if it’s just once. Tests run from $20-60; if you consider how much you’ll spend on soil amendments, it’s well worth the price.
States that offer free or low-cost soil testing
Arkansas
In Arkansas, routine soil testing is free, provided the soil is from Arkansas and the person submitting the sample is an Arkansas resident.
Connecticut
Connecticut state offers free soil tests to state residents.
Florida
University of Florida Extension Office provides free soil pH tests.
Idaho
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 Health.
Kansas
Johnson County residents can obtain free soil tests through Kansas State University.
Kentucky
Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service offices provide soil testing services for a reasonable fee or it may be free, depending on the county.
Louisiana
Lafayette residents can obtain free soil testing through University of Louisiana.
Maine
No free testing, but low-cost ($20) tests available through University of Maine.
Massachusetts
Barnstable residents can obtain free soil testing through Cape Cod Extension.
Montana
Seasonal free testing is provided by RiverStone Health.
Nebraska
Low-cost tests ($15) are available through AgSource.
New Jersey
Low-cost ($9) tests are offered through Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Lab.
New York
Urban Soil Institute offers free soil heavy metal testing.
North Carolina
North Carolina offers free soil testing when submitted 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 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 health assessment from Utah Department of Agriculture and Food
Vermont
UVM offers seasonal free soil testing.
Virginia
Virginia Green, a private company, offers free soil testing for lawns.
Washington
UCD offers free soil testing each spring.
West Virginia
West Virginia University offers free soil analysis to residents.
Wisconsin
The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), 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 soil testing and soil health workshops.
Wyoming
Unita County provides basic soil test kits that analyze soil pH, nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus levels. Bring in your soil samples anytime during the year to have them tested; the first test is free.
