Ada County, ID Extension Office & Soil Testing Directory
Welcome to the official directory resource for Ada County, ID. Connecting local homeowners, urban gardeners, and commercial growers with Idaho's land-grant university extension resources, state soil testing lab services, and Master Gardener volunteer clinics.
1. Extension Office Contact Details & Operational Hours
The University of Idaho Extension - Ada County serves as the primary educational extension center in Ada County. Visit or call during standard operational hours for agricultural advice, soil sample kits, and youth 4-H programs.
| Official Office Name: | University of Idaho Extension - Ada County |
| Physical Address: | 5880 Glenwood Street, Boise, ID 83714 |
| Direct Phone Desk: | (208) 287-5900 |
| Email Contact: | ada@uidaho.edu |
| Office Hours: | Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Official Web Portal: | https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/county/ada |
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 Ada County is UI Analytical Sciences Laboratory.
| Official Testing Lab: | UI Analytical Sciences Laboratory |
| Lab Location: | 2222 W. Sixth St, Holm Center, Moscow, ID 83844 |
| Routine Sample Fee: | $40 routine soil fertility analysis |
| Expected Turnaround: | 7 to 10 business days |
| Official Lab Website: | https://www.uidaho.edu/cals/analytical-sciences-laboratory |
How to Collect and Submit a Soil Sample in Ada County:
- Pick up a Soil Kit: Pick up official sample boxes and submittal forms at the University of Idaho Extension - Ada County (5880 Glenwood Street, Boise, ID 83714).
- 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 UI Analytical Sciences Laboratory.
3. Master Gardener Volunteer Program & Plant Clinic
The UI Extension Master Gardeners Ada County provides free plant disease diagnostics, lawn care advice, and eco-friendly pest management tips.
| Program Name: | UI Extension Master Gardeners Ada County |
| Plant Clinic Hours: | Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Summer) (Note: Plant clinics run seasonally; call office during winter months) |
| Direct Helpline Phone: | (208) 287-5900 |
| Program Portal: | https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/county/ada/gardener |
Volunteer Training: 12-week comprehensive University of Idaho horticulture training.
4. Regional Soil & Growing Snapshot for Ada County
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: Zone 7a
Natural Soil Profile: Treasure Valley Alkaline Loam & Volcanic Ash Silt
Popular Local Crops: Potatoes, onions, apples, berries, lawn turf
Extension Specialist Tip: Intermountain West soils are alkaline; monitor salinity and avoid adding extra lime.
5. 🧮 Interactive Soil Amendment Calculator for Ada County
Estimate the recommended agricultural limestone or elemental sulfur needed to adjust your garden soil pH based on local Treasure Valley Alkaline Loam & Volcanic Ash Silt characteristics.
📚 Recommended Extension Guides & Soil Articles
Learn more about interpreting your Ada County extension soil test report and managing plant nutrients:
Frequently Asked Questions (Ada County Directory)
The University of Idaho Extension - Ada County is located at 5880 Glenwood Street, Boise, ID 83714. You can call their main desk directly at (208) 287-5900 during standard business hours (Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM).
Standard soil analysis for Ada County garden samples through UI Analytical Sciences Laboratory costs $40 routine soil fertility analysis. Check with the office for special sample types.
You can reach the UI Extension Master Gardeners Ada County hotline by calling (208) 287-5900 during plant clinic hours (Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Summer)).
Ada County falls primarily within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a. Local soil is characterized as Treasure Valley Alkaline Loam & Volcanic Ash Silt.
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.