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 University of New Hampshire 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: | University of New Hampshire Extension - Hillsborough County |
| Physical Address: | Manchester, New Hampshire 03101 |
| Direct Phone Desk: | (330) 555-0199 |
| Email Contact: | hillsborough@unh.edu |
| Office Hours: | Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Official Web Portal: | https://extension.unh.edu/agriculture-gardens/soil-testing |
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 Lab.
| Official Testing Lab: | UNH Soil Testing Lab |
| Lab Location: | Spaulding Hall, 38 Academic Way, Durham, NH 03824 |
| Routine Sample Fee: | $20 standard routine soil sample |
| 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 University of New Hampshire Extension - Hillsborough County (Manchester, New Hampshire 03101).
- 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 Lab.
3. Master Gardener Volunteer Program & Plant Clinic
The Hillsborough County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers provides free plant disease diagnostics, lawn care advice, and eco-friendly pest management tips.
| Program Name: | Hillsborough County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers |
| Plant Clinic Hours: | Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Note: Plant clinics run seasonally; call office during winter months) |
| Direct Helpline Phone: | (330) 555-0199 |
| Program Portal: | https://extension.unh.edu/agriculture-gardens/soil-testing |
Volunteer Training: Comprehensive horticulture training conducted by University of New Hampshire Extension.
4. Regional Soil & Growing Snapshot for Hillsborough County
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: Zone 4b / 6a
Natural Soil Profile: Glacial Sandy Loam & Stony Silt
Popular Local Crops: Apples, blueberries, maple sugar foliage, cool-season turf
Extension Specialist Tip: Granite State soils are naturally acidic; test soil to determine limestone needs.
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 Glacial Sandy Loam & Stony Silt characteristics.
📚 Recommended Extension Guides & Soil Articles
Learn more about interpreting your Hillsborough County extension soil test report and managing plant nutrients:
📦 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.
📋 Request Local Extension & Lawn Testing Assistance in Hillsborough County, NH
Need help interpreting your lab results or finding local agricultural extension agents? Fill out the brief form below:
Frequently Asked Questions (Hillsborough County Directory)
The University of New Hampshire Extension - Hillsborough County is located at Manchester, New Hampshire 03101. You can call their main desk directly at (330) 555-0199 during standard business hours (Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM).
Standard soil analysis for Hillsborough County garden samples through UNH Soil Testing Lab costs $20 standard routine soil sample. Check with the office for special sample types.
You can reach the Hillsborough County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers hotline by calling (330) 555-0199 during plant clinic hours (Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM).
Hillsborough County falls primarily within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4b / 6a. Local soil is characterized as Glacial Sandy Loam & Stony Silt.
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.