Sacramento County, CA Extension Office & Soil Testing Directory
Welcome to the official directory resource for Sacramento 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 - Sacramento County serves as the primary educational extension center in Sacramento 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 - Sacramento County |
| Physical Address: | 4145 Branch Center Road, Sacramento, CA 95827 |
| Direct Phone Desk: | (916) 875-6913 |
| Email Contact: | sacmg@ucanr.edu |
| Office Hours: | Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Official Web Portal: | https://cesacramento.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 Sacramento County is UC Davis Analytical Laboratory.
| Official Testing Lab: | UC Davis Analytical Laboratory |
| Lab Location: | One Shields Ave, Hoagland Hall, Davis, CA 95616 |
| Routine Sample Fee: | $20 routine soil fertility analysis |
| Expected Turnaround: | 7 to 10 business days |
| Official Lab Website: | https://anlab.ucdavis.edu/ |
How to Collect and Submit a Soil Sample in Sacramento County:
- Pick up a Soil Kit: Pick up official sample boxes and submittal forms at the UC Cooperative Extension - Sacramento County (4145 Branch Center Road, Sacramento, CA 95827).
- 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.
3. Master Gardener Volunteer Program & Plant Clinic
The UC Master Gardeners of Sacramento County provides free plant disease diagnostics, lawn care advice, and eco-friendly pest management tips.
| Program Name: | UC Master Gardeners of Sacramento County |
| Plant Clinic Hours: | Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Note: Plant clinics run seasonally; call office during winter months) |
| Direct Helpline Phone: | (916) 875-6913 |
| Program Portal: | https://sacmg.ucanr.edu/ |
Volunteer Training: Annual 50-hour UC ANR comprehensive horticulture course.
4. Regional Soil & Growing Snapshot for Sacramento County
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: Zone 9b
Natural Soil Profile: Sacramento Valley Clay Loam and Alluvial Silt Loam
Popular Local Crops: Tomatoes, citrus, figs, avocados, stone fruit, cool-season greens
Extension Specialist Tip: Sacramento soils benefit from organic mulch to reduce summer evaporative water loss.
5. 🧮 Interactive Soil Amendment Calculator for Sacramento County
Estimate the recommended agricultural limestone or elemental sulfur needed to adjust your garden soil pH based on local Sacramento Valley Clay Loam and Alluvial Silt Loam characteristics.
📚 Recommended Extension Guides & Soil Articles
Learn more about interpreting your Sacramento County extension soil test report and managing plant nutrients:
Frequently Asked Questions (Sacramento County Directory)
The UC Cooperative Extension - Sacramento County is located at 4145 Branch Center Road, Sacramento, CA 95827. You can call their main desk directly at (916) 875-6913 during standard business hours (Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM).
Standard soil analysis for Sacramento County garden samples through UC Davis Analytical Laboratory costs $20 routine soil fertility analysis. Check with the office for special sample types.
You can reach the UC Master Gardeners of Sacramento County hotline by calling (916) 875-6913 during plant clinic hours (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM).
Sacramento County falls primarily within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9b. Local soil is characterized as Sacramento Valley Clay Loam and Alluvial 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.