From April 1 to the end of November, you can submit your soil samples to the state soil laboratory and avoid paying the $4 fee currently charged during the peak season of December 1 to March 31. This fee is scheduled to increase to $5 on March 2, 2026. Samples with completed soil information forms must be received by the state soil lab by 5 p.m. on November 30, 2025, to avoid the peak-season fee. Information forms for all soil samples must be present for samples to be received. Ship samples early, since unexpected shipping delays can result in peak-season fees being charged.

Submitting your soil samples during non-peak months allows you to get your results back sooner, as samples submitted during peak months can take several weeks to be processed. During much of the off-peak time, samples are processed and results are ready in less than two weeks.

Doing a soil test can save you both time and money. Many homeowners will apply lime and fertilizer year after year without doing a soil test. This practice often results in the over-application of fertilizer and lime. There is no reliable way to know whether or not your soil needs amendments and which amendments are needed unless you do a soil test.

Soil test kits, consisting of sample boxes and information forms, are available at the N.C. Cooperative Extension of Davie County office at 642 Wilkesboro St., Mocksville. If you have questions about the procedure for taking samples or interpreting results, call 336-753-6100 or email Susan Hawkins at susan_hawkins@ncsu.edu.