Anchorage Borough, AK Extension Office & Soil Testing Directory
Welcome to the official directory resource for Anchorage Borough, AK. Connecting local homeowners, urban gardeners, and commercial growers with Alaska's land-grant university extension resources, state soil testing lab services, and Master Gardener volunteer clinics.
1. Extension Office Contact Details & Operational Hours
The UAF Cooperative Extension Service - Anchorage District serves as the primary educational extension center in Anchorage Borough. Visit or call during standard operational hours for agricultural advice, soil sample kits, and youth 4-H programs.
| Official Office Name: | UAF Cooperative Extension Service - Anchorage District |
| Physical Address: | 1840 Bragaw Street, Suite 100, Anchorage, AK 99508 |
| Direct Phone Desk: | (907) 786-6300 |
| Email Contact: | cesanchorage@alaska.edu |
| Office Hours: | Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Official Web Portal: | https://www.uaf.edu/ces/districts/anchorage/ |
2. Official Soil Testing Laboratory & Pricing
Testing your soil is the single most important step before adding fertilizers or agricultural lime. The official testing laboratory serving Anchorage Borough is UAF Palmer Soil Testing Laboratory.
| Official Testing Lab: | UAF Palmer Soil Testing Laboratory |
| Lab Location: | 1509 S. Georgeson Rd, Palmer, AK 99645 |
| Routine Sample Fee: | $25 routine cold-climate soil test |
| Expected Turnaround: | 10 to 14 business days |
| Official Lab Website: | https://www.uaf.edu/ces/agriculture/soil/ |
How to Collect and Submit a Soil Sample in Anchorage Borough:
- Pick up a Soil Kit: Pick up official sample boxes and submittal forms at the UAF Cooperative Extension Service - Anchorage District (1840 Bragaw Street, Suite 100, Anchorage, AK 99508).
- Collect Sub-Samples: Use a clean stainless steel trowel to take 10 to 12 soil cores from a 4-to-6-inch depth across your garden or lawn area.
- Air-Dry: Mix sub-samples in a clean plastic bucket and air-dry on clean paper at room temperature (never use an oven).
- Submit Sample: Return your filled soil box to the extension office or mail directly to UAF Palmer Soil Testing Laboratory.
3. Master Gardener Volunteer Program & Plant Clinic
The Alaska Master Gardeners Anchorage provides free plant disease diagnostics, lawn care advice, and eco-friendly pest management tips.
| Program Name: | Alaska Master Gardeners Anchorage |
| Plant Clinic Hours: | Tuesday & Thursday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Note: Plant clinics run seasonally; call office during winter months) |
| Direct Helpline Phone: | (907) 786-6300 |
| Program Portal: | https://www.alaskamastergardeners.org/ |
Volunteer Training: UAF extension training focused on subarctic horticulture.
4. Regional Soil & Growing Snapshot for Anchorage Borough
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: Zone 4b / 5a
Natural Soil Profile: Subarctic Volcanic Ash Silt Loam
Popular Local Crops: Giant cabbages, potatoes, peonies, rhodiola, carrots
Extension Specialist Tip: Subarctic soils warm up late; use raised beds and black plastic mulch to extend the growing season.
5. 🧮 Interactive Soil Amendment Calculator for Anchorage Borough
Estimate the recommended agricultural limestone or elemental sulfur needed to adjust your garden soil pH based on local Subarctic Volcanic Ash Silt Loam characteristics.
📚 Recommended Extension Guides & Soil Articles
Learn more about interpreting your Anchorage Borough extension soil test report and managing plant nutrients:
Frequently Asked Questions (Anchorage Borough Directory)
The UAF Cooperative Extension Service - Anchorage District is located at 1840 Bragaw Street, Suite 100, Anchorage, AK 99508. You can call their main desk directly at (907) 786-6300 during standard business hours (Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM).
Standard soil analysis for Anchorage Borough garden samples through UAF Palmer Soil Testing Laboratory costs $25 routine cold-climate soil test. Check with the office for special sample types.
You can reach the Alaska Master Gardeners Anchorage hotline by calling (907) 786-6300 during plant clinic hours (Tuesday & Thursday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM).
Anchorage Borough falls primarily within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4b / 5a. Local soil is characterized as Subarctic Volcanic Ash Silt Loam.
Written & Verified by Sahajul
Verified Author & Founder
Sahajul is an independent agricultural data researcher based in India and founder of LocalSoilLab.com. He specializes in compiling, structuring, and verifying US land-grant university extension services, soil lab testing fee schedules, and county Master Gardener contact directories directly from official .edu and USDA NIFA portals.