Submit soil samples to avoid peak-season fees
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Now is the time to submit soil samples for faster turnaround time on results and avoid peak-season testing fees. This year, the peak laboratory season starts Wednesday, Nov. 26, and runs through March 31, 2026.
Samples must physically arrive at the Agronomic Services’ loading dock by Tuesday, Nov. 25, by 5 p.m. or earlier to avoid being charged a peak-season fee of $4 per sample.
Date of shipping, delivery to a local Cooperative Extension Service office or postmarking is not considered when determining the assessment of peak-season fees.
For best service, it is critical that the lab has the essential information submitted with a good quality sample. The small details really matter when you consider that the Soil Testing Lab processes about 300,000 samples annually.
Only use NCDA&CS soil sample boxes. Soil sample boxes and submission forms are provided at local county Cooperative Extension Centers and at the Agronomic Services Division, 4300 Reedy Creek Road, Raleigh, NC 27607. Fill the soil box to the red line found on the outside of the box. Required information on the box includes the client’s name, address and sample ID.
A soil submission form that is fully completed is required with your samples. Required information includes a client name with their full address, a crop code which is critical for plant-specific recommendations, a valid email address and a phone number. For convenience, a fillable soil submission form is found at ncagr.gov/divisions/agronomic-services/soil-testing.
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If possible, use the online data entry feature on our public portal called PALS (ncagr.gov/agronomi/pals) to ensure the most accurate delivery of sample information to the lab. If used, make sure that the submission is fully completed and a printed copy of the sub-mission form is enclosed with soil sample boxes.
The sample turnaround time is based on the date the samples are received at our location. Contact the Agronomic Services Division at 919.664.1600 or go to ncagr.gov/anornomi/pals with any questions or information.
