Larimer County, CO Extension Office & Soil Testing Directory
Welcome to the official directory resource for Larimer County, CO. Connecting local homeowners, urban gardeners, and commercial growers with Colorado's land-grant university extension resources, state soil testing lab services, and Master Gardener volunteer clinics.
1. Extension Office Contact Details & Operational Hours
The CSU Extension - Larimer County serves as the primary educational extension center in Larimer County. Visit or call during standard operational hours for agricultural advice, soil sample kits, and youth 4-H programs.
| Official Office Name: | CSU Extension - Larimer County |
| Physical Address: | 1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80524 |
| Direct Phone Desk: | (970) 498-6000 |
| Email Contact: | larimerextension@larimer.org |
| Office Hours: | Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Official Web Portal: | https://larimer.extension.colostate.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 Larimer County is CSU Soil, Water and Plant Testing Laboratory.
| Official Testing Lab: | CSU Soil, Water and Plant Testing Laboratory |
| Lab Location: | 1120 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523 |
| Routine Sample Fee: | $35 routine garden soil analysis |
| Expected Turnaround: | 7 to 10 business days |
| Official Lab Website: | https://agsci.colostate.edu/soiltestinglab/ |
How to Collect and Submit a Soil Sample in Larimer County:
- Pick up a Soil Kit: Pick up official sample boxes and submittal forms at the CSU Extension - Larimer County (1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80524).
- 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 CSU Soil, Water and Plant Testing Laboratory.
3. Master Gardener Volunteer Program & Plant Clinic
The CSU Extension Master Gardeners of Larimer County provides free plant disease diagnostics, lawn care advice, and eco-friendly pest management tips.
| Program Name: | CSU Extension Master Gardeners of Larimer County |
| Plant Clinic Hours: | Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Note: Plant clinics run seasonally; call office during winter months) |
| Direct Helpline Phone: | (970) 498-6000 |
| Program Portal: | https://larimer.extension.colostate.edu/yard-and-garden/ |
Volunteer Training: 10-week intensive CSU high-altitude gardening course.
4. Regional Soil & Growing Snapshot for Larimer County
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: Zone 5b / 6a
Natural Soil Profile: Alkaline Arid Clay Loam (pH 7.5 - 8.2 naturally)
Popular Local Crops: Peppers, tomatoes, melons, root vegetables, native perennials
Extension Specialist Tip: Colorado soils are naturally alkaline; add organic compost and elemental sulfur to manage pH.
5. 🧮 Interactive Soil Amendment Calculator for Larimer County
Estimate the recommended agricultural limestone or elemental sulfur needed to adjust your garden soil pH based on local Alkaline Arid Clay Loam (pH 7.5 - 8.2 naturally) characteristics.
📚 Recommended Extension Guides & Soil Articles
Learn more about interpreting your Larimer County extension soil test report and managing plant nutrients:
Frequently Asked Questions (Larimer County Directory)
The CSU Extension - Larimer County is located at 1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80524. You can call their main desk directly at (970) 498-6000 during standard business hours (Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM).
Standard soil analysis for Larimer County garden samples through CSU Soil, Water and Plant Testing Laboratory costs $35 routine garden soil analysis. Check with the office for special sample types.
You can reach the CSU Extension Master Gardeners of Larimer County hotline by calling (970) 498-6000 during plant clinic hours (Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM).
Larimer County falls primarily within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5b / 6a. Local soil is characterized as Alkaline Arid Clay Loam (pH 7.5 - 8.2 naturally).
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.