For years, I didn’t test, convinced I could compost my way to good soil.
And if you live in the right states, you could get soil testing for free.
Most states have some qualifications for the free testing.
Even if your state doesnt 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.
Connecticut
Connecticut state offersfree soil teststo state residents.
Florida
University of Florida Extension Office provides freesoil pH tests.
Idaho
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare offersfree soil lead testingto residents.
Illinois
Freesoil lead testingis provided by the Illinois Department of Health.
Kansas
Johnson County residents can obtainfree soil teststhrough Kansas State University.
Louisiana
Lafayette residents can obtainfree soil testingthrough University of Louisiana.
Maine
No free testing, but low-cost ($20) testsavailablethrough University of Maine.
Massachusetts
Barnstable residents can obtainfree soil testingthrough Cape Cod Extension.
Montana
Seasonal free testing isprovidedby RiverStone Health.
Nebraska
Low-cost tests ($15) areavailablethrough AgSource.
New Jersey
Low-cost ($9) tests areofferedthrough Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Lab.
New York
Urban Soil Institute offers freesoil heavy metal testing.
North Carolina
North Carolina offers free soil testing whensubmittedbetween April 1 and the end of November.
Oklahoma
Low-cost ($10) tests areavailablethrough Cleveland County Extension.
Oregon
Soil Screening, Health, Outreach, and Partnership provides freesoil lead testing.
Pennsylvania
Primex Garden Center provides freesoil pH testing.
Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island Master Gardener Program offersfree soil testing.
South Carolina
Carolina Fresh Farms providesfree soil testingfor lawns.
Tennessee
No free testing, but low cost ($15)providedby UT.
Virginia
Virginia Green, a private company, offersfree soil testingfor lawns.
Washington
UCD offersfree soil testingeach spring.
West Virginia
West Virginia University offersfree soil analysisto residents.
Bring in your soil samples anytime during the year to have them tested; thefirst testis free.
