What is Peak Soil Season?
- From April 1 - late November, NCDA&CS soil tests are free of charge to N.C. residents.
- During Peak Soil Season, soil tests are $5 per sample. The exact start date of the fee season varies by year but generally begins during the last week of November and no later than December 1. The start of the fee season is posted on the Agronomic Division website well in advance. Check the website to verify this date each year.
For 2026, the start date is Dec. 1.
- Soil samples that arrive at the Agronomic Division lab at at 4300 Reedy Creek Rd, Raleigh, NC. on or after Dec. 1, 2026 are subject to the Peak Season fee of $5 per sample.
- To receive a soil test free of charge, the sample must be physically present at at 4300 Reedy Creek Rd, Raleigh, NC. by 5:00 PM on Nov. 30. No Exceptions.
FAQs
Tab/Accordion Items
County extension offices are operated by NC State University. Agronomic Services is operated by NC Dept. of Agriculture and is unaffiliated with NCSU. The fee is based on when the samples physically arrive at Agronomic Services.
Yes. Security gates close at 5 PM. Deliveries are not accepted after that time.
Delivery Methods
- Delivered in person to Agronomic Services at 4300 Reedy Creek Rd, Raleigh, NC.
- Delivered by UPS or FedEx to Agronomic Services at 4300 Reedy Creek Rd, Raleigh, NC.
- Shipped to the Division's mailing address by USPS. Note: USPS does not deliver to Agronomic Services physical location. Arrival at the Division's mailing address before the fee start date does not waive the fee if the samples are not at the physical location before the start date.
- Transported by NCSU Cooperative Extension to Agronomic Services at 4300 Reedy Creek Rd, Raleigh, NC. Many county extension offices transport lab samples to the NCDA&CS Agronomic Division as a courtesy service for county residents. Timeframes for sample transport vary by county. It is the responsibility of the client to ensure that samples arrive at the Agronomic Division before the fee goes into effect. Find your local NCSU extension office
Delivery Hours
- Samples are accepted Monday - Friday from 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM, excluding state holidays.
- If assistance is needed, arrive no later than 4:00 PM.
- Security gates close daily at 5:00 PM and remain closed over weekends and state holidays. Please do not enter NCDA&CS property outside of operating hours.
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This page was last modified on 04/02/2026