Whether you manage a sprawling pasture, tend a backyard garden, or farm acres of commodity crops, the foundation of your success lies beneath your feet: your soil. Many land managers and gardeners guess when it comes to fertilizing or adding lime, often wasting money and potentially compromising the health of their plants and the environment. This is where your local North Carolina Cooperative Extension Center advises one of the most cost-effective tools in your arsenal: soil testing.

So just what does a soil test reveal? Think of a soil test as an annual physical for your entire acreage. It provides a detailed, science-based snapshot of your soil’s health, giving you the specific recommendations you need for optimal plant and forage production.

The key information you’ll get includes:

• pH Level (Acidity): This is the most critical factor! Most North Carolina soils are naturally acidic. Your test will tell you exactly how acidic your soil is and, more importantly, precisely how much lime (if any) is needed to adjust it for the specific crop, forage, or garden plants you are growing. Balanced pH allows plants to fully access essential nutrients.
• Nutrient Levels: It measures existing levels of major nutrients like phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. You might find you already have enough of certain nutrients on hand, saving you from unnecessary purchases.
• Specific Recommendations: Based on the type of production you indicate (corn, turf, pasture, vegetable garden, etc.), the report gives you clear, tailored recommendations for the kind and amount of fertilizer and lime to apply.

Taking a few minutes to collect a soil sample offers benefits that impact your bottom line and your land’s health:

1. Stop Wasting Money: A soil test ensures you purchase and apply only the specific amendments your crops or forage need, maximizing fertilizer efficiency and making your budget go further.
2. Improve Plant Health: When the soil pH and nutrients are balanced, plants are stronger, better able to absorb water, and more resistant to pests and disease, leading to greater yields or more robust grazing land.
3. Protect Water Quality: Over-fertilization is a major source of nutrient runoff into our waterways. By applying only what is needed, you practice good stewardship and protect North Carolina’s environment.

The NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Agronomic Lab provides this essential service. Stop by your local N.C. Cooperative Extension Center to pick up the official soil sample boxes and a submission form. Follow the simple instructions to collect a representative sample (a blend of soil from a specific management area, like a specific crop field or distinct pasture section). Return the box(es) to our Extension office or mail them directly to the lab in Raleigh.

Important news! Time is running out to submit your free-soil test. Starting November 26 through March 31 there will be a 4 dollars per sample fee. Samples will need to be dropped off by close of business on November 24 at the Robeson County Center so they can arrive in Raleigh before the deadline. Submitting samples now will allow ample time for the lab to process your results and for any necessary lime to take effect before the spring planting season.

Don’t guess, soil test! Visit or call your local Extension office today to get your free-soil sample box and set your land up for maximum productivity.