Middlesex County, NJ Extension Office & Soil Testing Directory
Welcome to the official directory resource for Middlesex 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 NJAES Cooperative Extension - Middlesex County serves as the primary educational extension center in Middlesex County. Visit or call during standard operational hours for agricultural advice, soil sample kits, and youth 4-H programs.
| Official Office Name: | Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension - Middlesex County |
| Physical Address: | 42 Riva Avenue, Davidson's Mill Pond Park, South Brunswick, NJ 08831 |
| Direct Phone Desk: | (732) 398-5262 |
| Email Contact: | middlesexextension@co.middlesex.nj.us |
| Office Hours: | Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Official Web Portal: | https://middlesex.njaes.rutgers.edu/ |
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 Middlesex 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 routine fertility kit |
| 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 Middlesex County:
- Pick up a Soil Kit: Pick up official sample boxes and submittal forms at the Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension - Middlesex County (42 Riva Avenue, Davidson's Mill Pond Park, South Brunswick, NJ 08831).
- 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 Rutgers Master Gardeners of Middlesex County provides free plant disease diagnostics, lawn care advice, and eco-friendly pest management tips.
| Program Name: | Rutgers Master Gardeners of Middlesex County |
| Plant Clinic Hours: | Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Note: Plant clinics run seasonally; call office during winter months) |
| Direct Helpline Phone: | (732) 398-5262 |
| Program Portal: | https://middlesex.njaes.rutgers.edu/master-gardeners/ |
Volunteer Training: Rutgers NJAES 60-hour horticulture training.
4. Regional Soil & Growing Snapshot for Middlesex County
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: Zone 7a
Natural Soil Profile: Piedmont Silt Loam & Coastal Plain Sandy Loam
Popular Local Crops: Tomatoes, cranberries, blueberries, peaches, turf grass
Extension Specialist Tip: Garden State soils vary by region; coastal sandy soils need organic matter to retain water.
5. 🧮 Interactive Soil Amendment Calculator for Middlesex County
Estimate the recommended agricultural limestone or elemental sulfur needed to adjust your garden soil pH based on local Piedmont Silt Loam & Coastal Plain Sandy Loam characteristics.
📚 Recommended Extension Guides & Soil Articles
Learn more about interpreting your Middlesex County extension soil test report and managing plant nutrients:
Frequently Asked Questions (Middlesex County Directory)
The Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension - Middlesex County is located at 42 Riva Avenue, Davidson's Mill Pond Park, South Brunswick, NJ 08831. You can call their main desk directly at (732) 398-5262 during standard business hours (Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM).
Standard soil analysis for Middlesex County garden samples through Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory costs $20 routine fertility kit. Check with the office for special sample types.
You can reach the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Middlesex County hotline by calling (732) 398-5262 during plant clinic hours (Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM).
Middlesex County falls primarily within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a. Local soil is characterized as Piedmont Silt Loam & Coastal Plain 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.