Kootenai County, ID Extension Office & Soil Testing Directory
Welcome to the official directory resource for Kootenai 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 - Kootenai County serves as the primary educational extension center in Kootenai 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 - Kootenai County |
| Physical Address: | Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83814 |
| Direct Phone Desk: | (160) 555-0199 |
| Email Contact: | kootenai@uidaho.edu |
| Office Hours: | Monday โ Friday: 8:00 AM โ 4:30 PM |
| Official Web Portal: | https://www.uidaho.edu/cals/analytical-sciences-laboratory |
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 Kootenai 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 Kootenai County:
- Pick up a Soil Kit: Pick up official sample boxes and submittal forms at the University of Idaho Extension - Kootenai County (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83814).
- 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 Kootenai County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers provides free plant disease diagnostics, lawn care advice, and eco-friendly pest management tips.
| Program Name: | Kootenai County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers |
| Plant Clinic Hours: | Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00 AM โ 12:00 PM (Note: Plant clinics run seasonally; call office during winter months) |
| Direct Helpline Phone: | (160) 555-0199 |
| Program Portal: | https://www.uidaho.edu/cals/analytical-sciences-laboratory |
Volunteer Training: Comprehensive horticulture training conducted by University of Idaho Extension.
4. Regional Soil & Growing Snapshot for Kootenai County
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: Zone 4b / 7a
Natural Soil Profile: Intermountain Alkaline Silt Loam & Volcanic Ash
Popular Local Crops: Potatoes, onions, apples, mint, barley, lawn turf
Extension Specialist Tip: Intermountain West soils are naturally alkaline; monitor soil salinity and avoid adding lime.
5. ๐งฎ Interactive Soil Amendment Calculator for Kootenai County
Estimate the recommended agricultural limestone or elemental sulfur needed to adjust your garden soil pH based on local Intermountain Alkaline Silt Loam & Volcanic Ash characteristics.
๐ Recommended Extension Guides & Soil Articles
Learn more about interpreting your Kootenai County extension soil test report and managing plant nutrients:
๐ฆ Recommended Mail-In Soil Test Kits & Meters
FTC Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn a commissionIf you need immediate results without waiting for university mail-in lab turnaround times, these top-rated professional home soil test kits provide fast pH, N, P, and K diagnostic analysis:
MySoil Soil Test Kit
Professional mail-in kit analyzed by accredited labs. Returns 13 essential nutrient values (N, P, K, pH, Micronutrients) & customized fertilizer recommendations via app.
Luster Leaf Rapitest 1601
Popular color-comparator kit for 10 instant soil tests (pH, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potash). Includes tailored plant preference chart.
Sonkir 3-in-1 Soil Tester
Instant probe sensor for soil moisture, pH, and sunlight levels. Requires no batteries. Perfect for potted plants, lawns, and raised beds.
๐ Request Local Extension & Lawn Testing Assistance in Kootenai County, ID
Need help interpreting your lab results or finding local agricultural extension agents? Fill out the brief form below:
Frequently Asked Questions (Kootenai County Directory)
The University of Idaho Extension - Kootenai County is located at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83814. You can call their main desk directly at (160) 555-0199 during standard business hours (Monday โ Friday: 8:00 AM โ 4:30 PM).
Standard soil analysis for Kootenai 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 Kootenai County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers hotline by calling (160) 555-0199 during plant clinic hours (Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00 AM โ 12:00 PM).
Kootenai County falls primarily within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4b / 7a. Local soil is characterized as Intermountain Alkaline Silt Loam & Volcanic Ash.