The Virginia Cooperative Extension serves the public and citizens of the commonwealth with testing and analysis of soils of home lawns, gardens, fruits, and ornamentals.
An individual who desires this service will need to take a sample or samples from the subject soil [lawn area; garden area (vegetable, flower, or roses); acid-loving shrubs; non-acid loving shrubs and trees; fruits; or house plants].
There is a recommended "procedure" for taking samples, and there is a form to complete when submitting your sample or samples.
Currently, the cost per sample is as follows:
Routine soil test: (In-state - Virginia = $10.00) ; (out-of-state = $16.00);
Organic Matter: [determines % in soil; no recommendation is given]
(In-state - Virginia = $ 4.00) ; (out-of-state = $ 6.00);
Soluble Salts: [determines if fertilizer salts are too high]
(In-state - Virginia = $ 2.00) ; (out-of-state = $ 3.00);
Faxing Results: (In-state - Virginia = $ 1.00) ; (out-of-state = $ 2.00);
Payment information:
By check or money order, payable to: "Treasurer, Virginia Tech"
Forms are available online (see pdf) or may be obtained at your local Cooperative Extension office. Boxes to ship your individual samples are also available at your local Cooperative Extension office.
When completed, the shipment and payment should be sent to:
Virginia Tech Soil Testing Laboratory
145 Smyth Hall (0465)
Blacksburg, VA 24061
NOTE: Processing will be delayed if the soil sample is not received in an official sample box. See www.soiltest.vt.edu for more information.
