Cumberland County, ME Extension Office & Soil Testing Directory
Welcome to the official directory resource for Cumberland County, ME. Connecting local homeowners, urban gardeners, and commercial growers with Maine's land-grant university extension resources, state soil testing lab services, and Master Gardener volunteer clinics.
1. Extension Office Contact Details & Operational Hours
The UMaine Extension - Cumberland County serves as the primary educational extension center in Cumberland County. Visit or call during standard operational hours for agricultural advice, soil sample kits, and youth 4-H programs.
| Official Office Name: | UMaine Extension - Cumberland County |
| Physical Address: | 75 John Roberts Road, Suite 101, South Portland, ME 04106 |
| Direct Phone Desk: | (207) 781-6099 |
| Email Contact: | extension.cumberland@maine.edu |
| Office Hours: | Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Official Web Portal: | https://extension.umaine.edu/cumberland/ |
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 Cumberland County is Maine Soil Testing Service.
| Official Testing Lab: | Maine Soil Testing Service |
| Lab Location: | 5722 Deering Hall, Orono, ME 04469 |
| Routine Sample Fee: | $18 routine garden soil sample |
| Expected Turnaround: | 5 to 7 business days |
| Official Lab Website: | https://umaine.edu/soils-lab/ |
How to Collect and Submit a Soil Sample in Cumberland County:
- Pick up a Soil Kit: Pick up official sample boxes and submittal forms at the UMaine Extension - Cumberland County (75 John Roberts Road, Suite 101, South Portland, ME 04106).
- 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 Maine Soil Testing Service.
3. Master Gardener Volunteer Program & Plant Clinic
The UMaine Extension Master Gardeners Cumberland County provides free plant disease diagnostics, lawn care advice, and eco-friendly pest management tips.
| Program Name: | UMaine Extension Master Gardeners Cumberland County |
| Plant Clinic Hours: | Tuesday & Thursday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Note: Plant clinics run seasonally; call office during winter months) |
| Direct Helpline Phone: | (207) 781-6099 |
| Program Portal: | https://extension.umaine.edu/cumberland/master-gardeners/ |
Volunteer Training: UMaine faculty-led cold-climate gardening training.
4. Regional Soil & Growing Snapshot for Cumberland County
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: Zone 5b / 6a
Natural Soil Profile: Glacial Sandy Loam & Silt Loam
Popular Local Crops: Blueberries, potatoes, brassicas, root vegetables, apples
Extension Specialist Tip: Maine soils are naturally acidic (pH 4.8 - 5.5); calcitic lime applications are essential for vegetable crops.
5. 🧮 Interactive Soil Amendment Calculator for Cumberland County
Estimate the recommended agricultural limestone or elemental sulfur needed to adjust your garden soil pH based on local Glacial Sandy Loam & Silt Loam characteristics.
📚 Recommended Extension Guides & Soil Articles
Learn more about interpreting your Cumberland County extension soil test report and managing plant nutrients:
Frequently Asked Questions (Cumberland County Directory)
The UMaine Extension - Cumberland County is located at 75 John Roberts Road, Suite 101, South Portland, ME 04106. You can call their main desk directly at (207) 781-6099 during standard business hours (Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM).
Standard soil analysis for Cumberland County garden samples through Maine Soil Testing Service costs $18 routine garden soil sample. Check with the office for special sample types.
You can reach the UMaine Extension Master Gardeners Cumberland County hotline by calling (207) 781-6099 during plant clinic hours (Tuesday & Thursday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM).
Cumberland County falls primarily within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5b / 6a. Local soil is characterized as Glacial Sandy Loam & Silt Loam.
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.