Washoe County, NV Extension Office & Soil Testing Directory
Welcome to the official directory resource for Washoe County, NV. Connecting local homeowners, urban gardeners, and commercial growers with Nevada's land-grant university extension resources, state soil testing lab services, and Master Gardener volunteer clinics.
1. Extension Office Contact Details & Operational Hours
The UNR Extension - Washoe County serves as the primary educational extension center in Washoe County. Visit or call during standard operational hours for agricultural advice, soil sample kits, and youth 4-H programs.
| Official Office Name: | UNR Extension - Washoe County |
| Physical Address: | 4955 Energy Way, Reno, NV 89502 |
| Direct Phone Desk: | (775) 784-4848 |
| Email Contact: | washoecounty@extension.unr.edu |
| Office Hours: | Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Official Web Portal: | https://extension.unr.edu/washoe |
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 Washoe County is UNR Partner Environmental Testing Labs.
| Official Testing Lab: | UNR Partner Environmental Testing Labs |
| Lab Location: | Sample submittal forms at Reno office |
| Routine Sample Fee: | $25 – $40 desert salinity sample |
| Expected Turnaround: | 7 to 10 business days |
| Official Lab Website: | https://extension.unr.edu/publication.aspx?ID=2877 |
How to Collect and Submit a Soil Sample in Washoe County:
- Pick up a Soil Kit: Pick up official sample boxes and submittal forms at the UNR Extension - Washoe County (4955 Energy Way, Reno, NV 89502).
- 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 UNR Partner Environmental Testing Labs.
3. Master Gardener Volunteer Program & Plant Clinic
The UNR Extension Master Gardeners Washoe County provides free plant disease diagnostics, lawn care advice, and eco-friendly pest management tips.
| Program Name: | UNR Extension Master Gardeners Washoe County |
| Plant Clinic Hours: | Monday & Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Note: Plant clinics run seasonally; call office during winter months) |
| Direct Helpline Phone: | (775) 784-4848 |
| Program Portal: | https://extension.unr.edu/mastergardener/ |
Volunteer Training: UNR Extension 50-hour high desert horticulture training.
4. Regional Soil & Growing Snapshot for Washoe County
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: Zone 7a / 7b
Natural Soil Profile: Alkaline Great Basin Desert Soil (pH 7.5 - 8.5)
Popular Local Crops: Garlic, onions, tomatoes, desert perennials, fruit trees
Extension Specialist Tip: Nevada soils are highly alkaline; incorporate organic compost and elemental sulfur to lower pH.
5. 🧮 Interactive Soil Amendment Calculator for Washoe County
Estimate the recommended agricultural limestone or elemental sulfur needed to adjust your garden soil pH based on local Alkaline Great Basin Desert Soil (pH 7.5 - 8.5) characteristics.
📚 Recommended Extension Guides & Soil Articles
Learn more about interpreting your Washoe County extension soil test report and managing plant nutrients:
Frequently Asked Questions (Washoe County Directory)
The UNR Extension - Washoe County is located at 4955 Energy Way, Reno, NV 89502. You can call their main desk directly at (775) 784-4848 during standard business hours (Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM).
Standard soil analysis for Washoe County garden samples through UNR Partner Environmental Testing Labs costs $25 – $40 desert salinity sample. Check with the office for special sample types.
You can reach the UNR Extension Master Gardeners Washoe County hotline by calling (775) 784-4848 during plant clinic hours (Monday & Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM).
Washoe County falls primarily within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a / 7b. Local soil is characterized as Alkaline Great Basin Desert Soil (pH 7.5 - 8.5).
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.