Caddo Parish, LA Extension Office & Soil Testing Directory
Welcome to the official directory resource for Caddo Parish, LA. Connecting local homeowners, urban gardeners, and commercial growers with Louisiana's land-grant university extension resources, state soil testing lab services, and Master Gardener volunteer clinics.
1. Extension Office Contact Details & Operational Hours
The LSU AgCenter Extension - Caddo Parish serves as the primary educational extension center in Caddo Parish. Visit or call during standard operational hours for agricultural advice, soil sample kits, and youth 4-H programs.
| Official Office Name: | LSU AgCenter Extension - Caddo Parish |
| Physical Address: | Shreveport, Louisiana 71101 |
| Direct Phone Desk: | (220) 555-0199 |
| Email Contact: | caddo-parish@lsuagcenter.com |
| Office Hours: | Monday โ Friday: 8:00 AM โ 4:30 PM |
| Official Web Portal: | https://www.lsuagcenter.com/portals/our_offices/departments/soil-testing-lab |
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 Caddo Parish is LSU AgCenter Soil Testing & Plant Analysis Lab.
| Official Testing Lab: | LSU AgCenter Soil Testing & Plant Analysis Lab |
| Lab Location: | 105 Sturgis Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 |
| Routine Sample Fee: | $10 per routine soil sample |
| Expected Turnaround: | 5 to 7 business days |
| Official Lab Website: | https://www.lsuagcenter.com/portals/our_offices/departments/soil-testing-lab |
How to Collect and Submit a Soil Sample in Caddo Parish:
- Pick up a Soil Kit: Pick up official sample boxes and submittal forms at the LSU AgCenter Extension - Caddo Parish (Shreveport, Louisiana 71101).
- 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 LSU AgCenter Soil Testing & Plant Analysis Lab.
3. Master Gardener Volunteer Program & Plant Clinic
The Caddo Parish Extension Master Gardener Volunteers provides free plant disease diagnostics, lawn care advice, and eco-friendly pest management tips.
| Program Name: | Caddo Parish 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: | (220) 555-0199 |
| Program Portal: | https://www.lsuagcenter.com/portals/our_offices/departments/soil-testing-lab |
Volunteer Training: Comprehensive horticulture training conducted by LSU AgCenter Extension.
4. Regional Soil & Growing Snapshot for Caddo Parish
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: Zone 8a / 10a
Natural Soil Profile: Mississippi Delta Alluvial Silt & Coastal Clay
Popular Local Crops: Sugarcane, rice, sweet potatoes, pecans, citrus, okra
Extension Specialist Tip: High humidity and rain wash away nutrients rapidly; apply organic compost before spring planting.
5. ๐งฎ Interactive Soil Amendment Calculator for Caddo Parish
Estimate the recommended agricultural limestone or elemental sulfur needed to adjust your garden soil pH based on local Mississippi Delta Alluvial Silt & Coastal Clay characteristics.
๐ Recommended Extension Guides & Soil Articles
Learn more about interpreting your Caddo Parish 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 Caddo Parish, LA
Need help interpreting your lab results or finding local agricultural extension agents? Fill out the brief form below:
Frequently Asked Questions (Caddo Parish Directory)
The LSU AgCenter Extension - Caddo Parish is located at Shreveport, Louisiana 71101. You can call their main desk directly at (220) 555-0199 during standard business hours (Monday โ Friday: 8:00 AM โ 4:30 PM).
Standard soil analysis for Caddo Parish garden samples through LSU AgCenter Soil Testing & Plant Analysis Lab costs $10 per routine soil sample. Check with the office for special sample types.
You can reach the Caddo Parish Extension Master Gardener Volunteers hotline by calling (220) 555-0199 during plant clinic hours (Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00 AM โ 12:00 PM).
Caddo Parish falls primarily within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8a / 10a. Local soil is characterized as Mississippi Delta Alluvial Silt & Coastal Clay.