Davidson County, TN Extension Office & Soil Testing Directory
Welcome to the official directory resource for Davidson County, TN. Connecting local homeowners, urban gardeners, and commercial growers with Tennessee's land-grant university extension resources, state soil testing lab services, and Master Gardener volunteer clinics.
1. Extension Office Contact Details & Operational Hours
The UT Extension - Davidson County serves as the primary educational extension center in Davidson County. Visit or call during standard operational hours for agricultural advice, soil sample kits, and youth 4-H programs.
| Official Office Name: | UT Extension - Davidson County |
| Physical Address: | 1417 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37217 |
| Direct Phone Desk: | (615) 862-5995 |
| Email Contact: | davidson@utk.edu |
| Office Hours: | Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Official Web Portal: | https://davidson.tennessee.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 Davidson County is UT Soil, Water and Plant Testing Laboratory.
| Official Testing Lab: | UT Soil, Water and Plant Testing Laboratory |
| Lab Location: | 5201 Marchant Drive, Nashville, TN 37211 |
| Routine Sample Fee: | $15 per routine garden soil sample |
| Expected Turnaround: | 3 to 5 business days |
| Official Lab Website: | https://soillab.tennessee.edu/ |
How to Collect and Submit a Soil Sample in Davidson County:
- Pick up a Soil Kit: Pick up official sample boxes and submittal forms at the UT Extension - Davidson County (1417 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37217).
- 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 UT Soil, Water and Plant Testing Laboratory.
3. Master Gardener Volunteer Program & Plant Clinic
The Master Gardeners of Davidson County provides free plant disease diagnostics, lawn care advice, and eco-friendly pest management tips.
| Program Name: | Master Gardeners of Davidson 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: | (615) 862-5995 |
| Program Portal: | https://www.mgofdc.org/ |
Volunteer Training: 40 hours of UT Extension instruction.
4. Regional Soil & Growing Snapshot for Davidson County
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: Zone 7a
Natural Soil Profile: Central Basin Limestone Silt Loam & Clay
Popular Local Crops: Tomatoes, peppers, berries, tall fescue, sweet corn
Extension Specialist Tip: Nashville limestone soils are naturally rich in phosphate; test before adding N-P-K blends.
5. 🧮 Interactive Soil Amendment Calculator for Davidson County
Estimate the recommended agricultural limestone or elemental sulfur needed to adjust your garden soil pH based on local Central Basin Limestone Silt Loam & Clay characteristics.
📚 Recommended Extension Guides & Soil Articles
Learn more about interpreting your Davidson County extension soil test report and managing plant nutrients:
Frequently Asked Questions (Davidson County Directory)
The UT Extension - Davidson County is located at 1417 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37217. You can call their main desk directly at (615) 862-5995 during standard business hours (Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM).
Standard soil analysis for Davidson County garden samples through UT Soil, Water and Plant Testing Laboratory costs $15 per routine garden soil sample. Check with the office for special sample types.
You can reach the Master Gardeners of Davidson County hotline by calling (615) 862-5995 during plant clinic hours (Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM).
Davidson County falls primarily within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a. Local soil is characterized as Central Basin Limestone Silt Loam & Clay.