Bergen County, NJ Extension Office & Soil Testing Directory
Welcome to the official directory resource for Bergen County, NJ. Connecting local homeowners, urban gardeners, and commercial growers with New Jersey's land-grant university extension resources, state soil testing lab services, and Master Gardener volunteer clinics.
1. Extension Office Contact Details & Operational Hours
The Rutgers University Extension - Bergen County serves as the primary educational extension center in Bergen County. Visit or call during standard operational hours for agricultural advice, soil sample kits, and youth 4-H programs.
| Official Office Name: | Rutgers University Extension - Bergen County |
| Physical Address: | Hackensack, New Jersey 07601 |
| Direct Phone Desk: | (340) 555-0199 |
| Email Contact: | bergen@rutgers.edu |
| Office Hours: | Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Official Web Portal: | https://njaes.rutgers.edu/soil-testing-lab/ |
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 Bergen County is Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory.
| Official Testing Lab: | Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory |
| Lab Location: | 57 US Highway 1, ASB II, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 |
| Routine Sample Fee: | $20 per routine soil sample |
| Expected Turnaround: | 5 to 7 business days |
| Official Lab Website: | https://njaes.rutgers.edu/soil-testing-lab/ |
How to Collect and Submit a Soil Sample in Bergen County:
- Pick up a Soil Kit: Pick up official sample boxes and submittal forms at the Rutgers University Extension - Bergen County (Hackensack, New Jersey 07601).
- 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 Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory.
3. Master Gardener Volunteer Program & Plant Clinic
The Bergen County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers provides free plant disease diagnostics, lawn care advice, and eco-friendly pest management tips.
| Program Name: | Bergen 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: | (340) 555-0199 |
| Program Portal: | https://njaes.rutgers.edu/soil-testing-lab/ |
Volunteer Training: Comprehensive horticulture training conducted by Rutgers University Extension.
4. Regional Soil & Growing Snapshot for Bergen County
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: Zone 6a / 7b
Natural Soil Profile: Pine Barrens Sandy Loam & Piedmont Silt Loam
Popular Local Crops: Blueberries, cranberries, tomatoes, sweet corn, peaches
Extension Specialist Tip: Garden State soils vary from coastal sands to northern clays; test soil before applying fertilizer.
5. 🧮 Interactive Soil Amendment Calculator for Bergen County
Estimate the recommended agricultural limestone or elemental sulfur needed to adjust your garden soil pH based on local Pine Barrens Sandy Loam & Piedmont Silt Loam characteristics.
📚 Recommended Extension Guides & Soil Articles
Learn more about interpreting your Bergen 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 Bergen County, NJ
Need help interpreting your lab results or finding local agricultural extension agents? Fill out the brief form below:
Frequently Asked Questions (Bergen County Directory)
The Rutgers University Extension - Bergen County is located at Hackensack, New Jersey 07601. You can call their main desk directly at (340) 555-0199 during standard business hours (Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM).
Standard soil analysis for Bergen County garden samples through Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory costs $20 per routine soil sample. Check with the office for special sample types.
You can reach the Bergen County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers hotline by calling (340) 555-0199 during plant clinic hours (Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM).
Bergen County falls primarily within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a / 7b. Local soil is characterized as Pine Barrens Sandy Loam & Piedmont 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.