Los Angeles County, CA Extension Office & Soil Testing Directory
Welcome to the official directory resource for Los Angeles County, CA. Connecting local homeowners, urban gardeners, and commercial growers with California's land-grant university extension resources, state soil testing lab services, and Master Gardener volunteer clinics.
1. Extension Office Contact Details & Operational Hours
The UC Cooperative Extension - Los Angeles County serves as the primary educational extension center in Los Angeles County. Visit or call during standard operational hours for agricultural advice, soil sample kits, and youth 4-H programs.
| Official Office Name: | UC Cooperative Extension - Los Angeles County |
| Physical Address: | 700 S. Flower Street, Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90017 |
| Direct Phone Desk: | (626) 586-1971 |
| Email Contact: | celosangeles@ucanr.edu |
| Office Hours: | Monday โ Friday: 8:00 AM โ 5:00 PM |
| Official Web Portal: | https://celosangeles.ucanr.edu/ |
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 Los Angeles County is UC Davis Analytical Laboratory & Certified Partner Labs.
| Official Testing Lab: | UC Davis Analytical Laboratory & Certified Partner Labs |
| Lab Location: | One Shields Ave, Hoagland Hall, Davis, CA 95616 |
| Routine Sample Fee: | $20 routine soil fertility kit |
| Expected Turnaround: | 7 to 10 business days |
| Official Lab Website: | https://anlab.ucdavis.edu/ |
How to Collect and Submit a Soil Sample in Los Angeles County:
- Pick up a Soil Kit: Pick up official sample boxes and submittal forms at the UC Cooperative Extension - Los Angeles County (700 S. Flower Street, Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90017).
- 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 UC Davis Analytical Laboratory & Certified Partner Labs.
3. Master Gardener Volunteer Program & Plant Clinic
The UC Master Gardeners of Los Angeles County provides free plant disease diagnostics, lawn care advice, and eco-friendly pest management tips.
| Program Name: | UC Master Gardeners of Los Angeles County |
| Plant Clinic Hours: | Monday & Wednesday: 9:00 AM โ 12:00 PM (Note: Plant clinics run seasonally; call office during winter months) |
| Direct Helpline Phone: | (626) 586-1971 |
| Program Portal: | https://celosangeles.ucanr.edu/UC_Master_Gardener_Program/ |
Volunteer Training: Comprehensive 50-hour UC ANR urban gardening training.
4. Regional Soil & Growing Snapshot for Los Angeles County
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: Zone 10a / 10b
Natural Soil Profile: Coastal Alluvial Loam & Clay Loam
Popular Local Crops: Citrus, avocados, tomatoes, peppers, subtropical fruit
Extension Specialist Tip: Los Angeles soils benefit from thick organic mulch to conserve soil moisture in Mediterranean climate.
5. ๐งฎ Interactive Soil Amendment Calculator for Los Angeles County
Estimate the recommended agricultural limestone or elemental sulfur needed to adjust your garden soil pH based on local Coastal Alluvial Loam & Clay Loam characteristics.
๐ Recommended Extension Guides & Soil Articles
Learn more about interpreting your Los Angeles County extension soil test report and managing plant nutrients:
Frequently Asked Questions (Los Angeles County Directory)
The UC Cooperative Extension - Los Angeles County is located at 700 S. Flower Street, Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90017. You can call their main desk directly at (626) 586-1971 during standard business hours (Monday โ Friday: 8:00 AM โ 5:00 PM).
Standard soil analysis for Los Angeles County garden samples through UC Davis Analytical Laboratory & Certified Partner Labs costs $20 routine soil fertility kit. Check with the office for special sample types.
You can reach the UC Master Gardeners of Los Angeles County hotline by calling (626) 586-1971 during plant clinic hours (Monday & Wednesday: 9:00 AM โ 12:00 PM).
Los Angeles County falls primarily within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 10a / 10b. Local soil is characterized as Coastal Alluvial Loam & Clay Loam.