Hillsborough County, NH Extension Office & Soil Testing Directory
Welcome to the official directory resource for Hillsborough County, NH. Connecting local homeowners, urban gardeners, and commercial growers with New Hampshire's land-grant university extension resources, state soil testing lab services, and Master Gardener volunteer clinics.
1. Extension Office Contact Details & Operational Hours
The UNH Extension - Hillsborough County serves as the primary educational extension center in Hillsborough County. Visit or call during standard operational hours for agricultural advice, soil sample kits, and youth 4-H programs.
| Official Office Name: | UNH Extension - Hillsborough County |
| Physical Address: | 329 Mast Road, Suite 101, Goffstown, NH 03045 |
| Direct Phone Desk: | (603) 641-6060 |
| Email Contact: | hillsborough@extension.unh.edu |
| Office Hours: | Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Official Web Portal: | https://extension.unh.edu/county/hillsborough |
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 Hillsborough County is UNH Soil Testing Service.
| Official Testing Lab: | UNH Soil Testing Service |
| Lab Location: | Macfarlane Hall, 296 Main St, Durham, NH 03824 |
| Routine Sample Fee: | $20 routine soil test |
| Expected Turnaround: | 5 to 7 business days |
| Official Lab Website: | https://extension.unh.edu/agriculture-gardens/soil-testing |
How to Collect and Submit a Soil Sample in Hillsborough County:
- Pick up a Soil Kit: Pick up official sample boxes and submittal forms at the UNH Extension - Hillsborough County (329 Mast Road, Suite 101, Goffstown, NH 03045).
- 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 UNH Soil Testing Service.
3. Master Gardener Volunteer Program & Plant Clinic
The UNH Extension Master Gardeners provides free plant disease diagnostics, lawn care advice, and eco-friendly pest management tips.
| Program Name: | UNH Extension Master Gardeners |
| Plant Clinic Hours: | Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Info Line) (Note: Plant clinics run seasonally; call office during winter months) |
| Direct Helpline Phone: | (877) 398-4769 |
| Program Portal: | https://extension.unh.edu/mastergardener |
Volunteer Training: UNH faculty 12-week comprehensive course.
4. Regional Soil & Growing Snapshot for Hillsborough County
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: Zone 5b
Natural Soil Profile: Granitic Glacial Till Sandy Loam
Popular Local Crops: Apples, blueberries, brassicas, sweet corn, turf
Extension Specialist Tip: New Hampshire granitic soils are acidic; routine liming is vital for vegetable production.
5. 🧮 Interactive Soil Amendment Calculator for Hillsborough County
Estimate the recommended agricultural limestone or elemental sulfur needed to adjust your garden soil pH based on local Granitic Glacial Till Sandy Loam characteristics.
📚 Recommended Extension Guides & Soil Articles
Learn more about interpreting your Hillsborough County extension soil test report and managing plant nutrients:
Frequently Asked Questions (Hillsborough County Directory)
The UNH Extension - Hillsborough County is located at 329 Mast Road, Suite 101, Goffstown, NH 03045. You can call their main desk directly at (603) 641-6060 during standard business hours (Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM).
Standard soil analysis for Hillsborough County garden samples through UNH Soil Testing Service costs $20 routine soil test. Check with the office for special sample types.
You can reach the UNH Extension Master Gardeners hotline by calling (877) 398-4769 during plant clinic hours (Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Info Line)).
Hillsborough County falls primarily within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5b. Local soil is characterized as Granitic Glacial Till Sandy 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.