Salt Lake County, UT Extension Office & Soil Testing Directory
Welcome to the official directory resource for Salt Lake County, UT. Connecting local homeowners, urban gardeners, and commercial growers with Utah's land-grant university extension resources, state soil testing lab services, and Master Gardener volunteer clinics.
1. Extension Office Contact Details & Operational Hours
The USU Extension - Salt Lake County serves as the primary educational extension center in Salt Lake County. Visit or call during standard operational hours for agricultural advice, soil sample kits, and youth 4-H programs.
| Official Office Name: | USU Extension - Salt Lake County |
| Physical Address: | 2001 S. State Street, Suite S1200, Salt Lake City, UT 84190 |
| Direct Phone Desk: | (385) 468-4820 |
| Email Contact: | slmghelpline@gmail.com |
| Office Hours: | Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Official Web Portal: | https://extension.usu.edu/saltlake/ |
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 Salt Lake County is USU Analytical Laboratories (USUAL).
| Official Testing Lab: | USU Analytical Laboratories (USUAL) |
| Lab Location: | 940 E. 1000 North, Logan, UT 84322 |
| Routine Sample Fee: | $30 routine garden soil sample |
| Expected Turnaround: | 5 to 7 business days |
| Official Lab Website: | https://www.usu.edu/analytical-labs/ |
How to Collect and Submit a Soil Sample in Salt Lake County:
- Pick up a Soil Kit: Pick up official sample boxes and submittal forms at the USU Extension - Salt Lake County (2001 S. State Street, Suite S1200, Salt Lake City, UT 84190).
- 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 USU Analytical Laboratories (USUAL).
3. Master Gardener Volunteer Program & Plant Clinic
The USU Extension Master Gardeners Salt Lake County provides free plant disease diagnostics, lawn care advice, and eco-friendly pest management tips.
| Program Name: | USU Extension Master Gardeners Salt Lake County |
| Plant Clinic Hours: | Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Note: Plant clinics run seasonally; call office during winter months) |
| Direct Helpline Phone: | (385) 468-4820 |
| Program Portal: | https://extension.usu.edu/saltlake/master-gardener |
Volunteer Training: USU Extension high desert horticulture certification.
4. Regional Soil & Growing Snapshot for Salt Lake County
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: Zone 7a
Natural Soil Profile: Alkaline Great Salt Lake Basin Loam & Caliche (pH 7.5 - 8.3)
Popular Local Crops: Cherries, peaches, squash, tomatoes, water-wise turf
Extension Specialist Tip: Utah soils are alkaline and high in salts; apply elemental sulfur and flush beds with clean water.
5. 🧮 Interactive Soil Amendment Calculator for Salt Lake County
Estimate the recommended agricultural limestone or elemental sulfur needed to adjust your garden soil pH based on local Alkaline Great Salt Lake Basin Loam & Caliche (pH 7.5 - 8.3) characteristics.
📚 Recommended Extension Guides & Soil Articles
Learn more about interpreting your Salt Lake County extension soil test report and managing plant nutrients:
Frequently Asked Questions (Salt Lake County Directory)
The USU Extension - Salt Lake County is located at 2001 S. State Street, Suite S1200, Salt Lake City, UT 84190. You can call their main desk directly at (385) 468-4820 during standard business hours (Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM).
Standard soil analysis for Salt Lake County garden samples through USU Analytical Laboratories (USUAL) costs $30 routine garden soil sample. Check with the office for special sample types.
You can reach the USU Extension Master Gardeners Salt Lake County hotline by calling (385) 468-4820 during plant clinic hours (Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM).
Salt Lake County falls primarily within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a. Local soil is characterized as Alkaline Great Salt Lake Basin Loam & Caliche (pH 7.5 - 8.3).