Providence County, RI Extension Office & Soil Testing Directory
Welcome to the official directory resource for Providence County, RI. Connecting local homeowners, urban gardeners, and commercial growers with Rhode Island's land-grant university extension resources, state soil testing lab services, and Master Gardener volunteer clinics.
1. Extension Office Contact Details & Operational Hours
The URI Cooperative Extension - Providence District serves as the primary educational extension center in Providence County. Visit or call during standard operational hours for agricultural advice, soil sample kits, and youth 4-H programs.
| Official Office Name: | URI Cooperative Extension - Providence District |
| Physical Address: | 3 Upper College Road, Kingston, RI 02881 |
| Direct Phone Desk: | (401) 874-2900 |
| Email Contact: | coopext@uri.edu |
| Office Hours: | Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Official Web Portal: | https://web.uri.edu/coopext/ |
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 Providence County is URI Soil Testing Service & Partner Labs.
| Official Testing Lab: | URI Soil Testing Service & Partner Labs |
| Lab Location: | 3 Upper College Rd, Mallon Center, Kingston, RI 02881 |
| Routine Sample Fee: | $0 (Free pH check at URI clinics) / $15 full lab test |
| Expected Turnaround: | 5 to 7 business days |
| Official Lab Website: | https://web.uri.edu/mastergardener/soil-testing/ |
How to Collect and Submit a Soil Sample in Providence County:
- Pick up a Soil Kit: Pick up official sample boxes and submittal forms at the URI Cooperative Extension - Providence District (3 Upper College Road, Kingston, RI 02881).
- 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 URI Soil Testing Service & Partner Labs.
3. Master Gardener Volunteer Program & Plant Clinic
The URI Master Gardener Program provides free plant disease diagnostics, lawn care advice, and eco-friendly pest management tips.
| Program Name: | URI Master Gardener Program |
| Plant Clinic Hours: | Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Hotline) (Note: Plant clinics run seasonally; call office during winter months) |
| Direct Helpline Phone: | (401) 874-4197 |
| Program Portal: | https://web.uri.edu/mastergardener/ |
Volunteer Training: URI 14-week core horticulture training.
4. Regional Soil & Growing Snapshot for Providence County
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: Zone 6b / 7a
Natural Soil Profile: Narragansett Silt Loam & Glacial Till
Popular Local Crops: Apples, sweet corn, berries, brassicas, turf grass
Extension Specialist Tip: Rhode Island soils tend to be acidic; free pH testing at URI clinics helps determine exact lime needs.
5. 🧮 Interactive Soil Amendment Calculator for Providence County
Estimate the recommended agricultural limestone or elemental sulfur needed to adjust your garden soil pH based on local Narragansett Silt Loam & Glacial Till characteristics.
📚 Recommended Extension Guides & Soil Articles
Learn more about interpreting your Providence County extension soil test report and managing plant nutrients:
Frequently Asked Questions (Providence County Directory)
The URI Cooperative Extension - Providence District is located at 3 Upper College Road, Kingston, RI 02881. You can call their main desk directly at (401) 874-2900 during standard business hours (Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM).
Standard soil analysis for Providence County garden samples through URI Soil Testing Service & Partner Labs costs $0 (Free pH check at URI clinics) / $15 full lab test. Check with the office for special sample types.
You can reach the URI Master Gardener Program hotline by calling (401) 874-4197 during plant clinic hours (Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Hotline)).
Providence County falls primarily within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b / 7a. Local soil is characterized as Narragansett Silt Loam & Glacial Till.
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.