Montgomery County, MD Extension Office & Soil Testing Directory
Welcome to the official directory resource for Montgomery County, MD. Connecting local homeowners, urban gardeners, and commercial growers with Maryland'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 Maryland Extension - Montgomery County serves as the primary educational extension center in Montgomery County. Visit or call during standard operational hours for agricultural advice, soil sample kits, and youth 4-H programs.
| Official Office Name: | University of Maryland Extension - Montgomery County |
| Physical Address: | 18410 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD 20855 |
| Direct Phone Desk: | (301) 590-9638 |
| Email Contact: | mgmont@umd.edu |
| Office Hours: | Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Official Web Portal: | https://extension.umd.edu/locations/montgomery-county |
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 Montgomery County is UME Recommended Regional Soil Testing Laboratories.
| Official Testing Lab: | UME Recommended Regional Soil Testing Laboratories |
| Lab Location: | 18410 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD 20855 |
| Routine Sample Fee: | $15 – $20 per sample |
| Expected Turnaround: | 5 to 7 business days |
| Official Lab Website: | https://extension.umd.edu/resource/soil-testing-and-soil-testing-labs |
How to Collect and Submit a Soil Sample in Montgomery County:
- Pick up a Soil Kit: Pick up official sample boxes and submittal forms at the University of Maryland Extension - Montgomery County (18410 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD 20855).
- 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 UME Recommended Regional Soil Testing Laboratories.
3. Master Gardener Volunteer Program & Plant Clinic
The Montgomery County Master Gardeners provides free plant disease diagnostics, lawn care advice, and eco-friendly pest management tips.
| Program Name: | Montgomery County Master Gardeners |
| Plant Clinic Hours: | Monday & Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Note: Plant clinics run seasonally; call office during winter months) |
| Direct Helpline Phone: | (301) 590-9638 |
| Program Portal: | https://extension.umd.edu/locations/montgomery-county/master-gardener-program |
Volunteer Training: 40 hours of UMD Extension horticultural instruction.
4. Regional Soil & Growing Snapshot for Montgomery County
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: Zone 7a
Natural Soil Profile: Piedmont Silt Loam & Manor Loam
Popular Local Crops: Tomatoes, peppers, berries, turf grass, native perennials
Extension Specialist Tip: Chesapeake Bay watershed protection guidelines require soil testing before applying nitrogen or phosphorus.
5. 🧮 Interactive Soil Amendment Calculator for Montgomery County
Estimate the recommended agricultural limestone or elemental sulfur needed to adjust your garden soil pH based on local Piedmont Silt Loam & Manor Loam characteristics.
📚 Recommended Extension Guides & Soil Articles
Learn more about interpreting your Montgomery County extension soil test report and managing plant nutrients:
Frequently Asked Questions (Montgomery County Directory)
The University of Maryland Extension - Montgomery County is located at 18410 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD 20855. You can call their main desk directly at (301) 590-9638 during standard business hours (Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM).
Standard soil analysis for Montgomery County garden samples through UME Recommended Regional Soil Testing Laboratories costs $15 – $20 per sample. Check with the office for special sample types.
You can reach the Montgomery County Master Gardeners hotline by calling (301) 590-9638 during plant clinic hours (Monday & Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM).
Montgomery County falls primarily within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a. Local soil is characterized as Piedmont Silt Loam & Manor 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.