Lindie Huffman, Agriculture and Natural Resources

The Pendleton County Cooperative Extension Service is now offering 20 free soil samples per sampling category. The categories are as follows:

A: Agriculture

C: Commercial Horticulture

H: Home, Lawn, and Garden

A farm serial number must be provided for agriculture samples.

Each soil sample thereafter will cost the individual $5.00 per sample. The Extension office will cover shipping costs of the samples.

Why soil sample you may ask? Soil sampling is a quick, efficient, and cost effective best management practice that provides important information to make decisions concerning:

• How much lime to use in crop fields, lawns, vegetable or flower beds.

• How much fertilizer to use on lawns, vegetables, flowers, and shrubs.

• How to adjust the soil pH for optimum growth of acid-loving plants such as azaleas and rhododendrons.

• How to apply soil amendments and fertilizer to improve soil quality.

• Nutrients that are lacking or in excess in the soil.

• Amount of lead or other metals in the soil.

For more information regarding the soil sampling program or process, please contact the Pendleton County Extension Office at 859-654-3395.