Hillsborough County, FL Extension Office & Soil Testing Directory
Welcome to the official directory resource for Hillsborough County, FL. Connecting local homeowners, urban gardeners, and commercial growers with Florida's land-grant university extension resources, state soil testing lab services, and Master Gardener volunteer clinics.
1. Extension Office Contact Details & Operational Hours
The UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County serves as the primary educational extension center in Hillsborough County. Visit or call during standard operational hours for agricultural advice, soil sample kits, and youth 4-H programs.
| Official Office Name: | UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County |
| Physical Address: | 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584 |
| Direct Phone Desk: | (813) 744-5519 |
| Email Contact: | hillsborough@ifas.ufl.edu |
| Office Hours: | Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Official Web Portal: | https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsborough/ |
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 Hillsborough County is UF/IFAS Extension Soil Testing Laboratory.
| Official Testing Lab: | UF/IFAS Extension Soil Testing Laboratory |
| Lab Location: | Wallace Building 631, 1633 Archbold Rd, Gainesville, FL 32611 |
| Routine Sample Fee: | $10 per routine garden soil sample |
| Expected Turnaround: | 7 to 10 business days |
| Official Lab Website: | https://soilslab.ifas.ufl.edu/ |
How to Collect and Submit a Soil Sample in Hillsborough County:
- Pick up a Soil Kit: Pick up official sample boxes and submittal forms at the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County (5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584).
- 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 UF/IFAS Extension Soil Testing Laboratory.
3. Master Gardener Volunteer Program & Plant Clinic
The UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County Master Gardener Volunteers provides free plant disease diagnostics, lawn care advice, and eco-friendly pest management tips.
| Program Name: | UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County Master Gardener Volunteers |
| Plant Clinic Hours: | Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Note: Plant clinics run seasonally; call office during winter months) |
| Direct Helpline Phone: | (813) 744-5519 |
| Program Portal: | https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsborough/master-gardener-volunteers/ |
Volunteer Training: Extensive 12-week course conducted by University of Florida horticulturists.
4. Regional Soil & Growing Snapshot for Hillsborough County
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: Zone 9b / 10a
Natural Soil Profile: Sandy Myakka Soils, highly permeable
Popular Local Crops: Strawberries, citrus, avocados, sweet corn, St. Augustine turf
Extension Specialist Tip: Florida sandy soils require frequent organic amendments and slow-release nitrogen fertilizers.
5. 🧮 Interactive Soil Amendment Calculator for Hillsborough County
Estimate the recommended agricultural limestone or elemental sulfur needed to adjust your garden soil pH based on local Sandy Myakka Soils, highly permeable characteristics.
📚 Recommended Extension Guides & Soil Articles
Learn more about interpreting your Hillsborough County extension soil test report and managing plant nutrients:
Frequently Asked Questions (Hillsborough County Directory)
The UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County is located at 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584. You can call their main desk directly at (813) 744-5519 during standard business hours (Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM).
Standard soil analysis for Hillsborough County garden samples through UF/IFAS Extension Soil Testing Laboratory costs $10 per routine garden soil sample. Check with the office for special sample types.
You can reach the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County Master Gardener Volunteers hotline by calling (813) 744-5519 during plant clinic hours (Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM).
Hillsborough County falls primarily within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9b / 10a. Local soil is characterized as Sandy Myakka Soils, highly permeable.
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.