Chittenden County, VT Extension Office & Soil Testing Directory
Welcome to the official directory resource for Chittenden County, VT. Connecting local homeowners, urban gardeners, and commercial growers with Vermont's land-grant university extension resources, state soil testing lab services, and Master Gardener volunteer clinics.
1. Extension Office Contact Details & Operational Hours
The UVM Extension - Chittenden County serves as the primary educational extension center in Chittenden County. Visit or call during standard operational hours for agricultural advice, soil sample kits, and youth 4-H programs.
| Official Office Name: | UVM Extension - Chittenden County |
| Physical Address: | 140 Kennedy Drive, Suite 201, South Burlington, VT 05403 |
| Direct Phone Desk: | (802) 656-5433 |
| Email Contact: | cvmext@uvm.edu |
| Office Hours: | Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Official Web Portal: | https://www.uvm.edu/extension/location/chittenden |
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 Chittenden County is UVM Agricultural and Environmental Testing Laboratory.
| Official Testing Lab: | UVM Agricultural and Environmental Testing Laboratory |
| Lab Location: | Jeffords Hall, 63 Carrigan Drive, Burlington, VT 05405 |
| Routine Sample Fee: | $15 per routine garden soil sample |
| Expected Turnaround: | 5 to 7 business days |
| Official Lab Website: | https://www.uvm.edu/extension/agricultural-and-environmental-testing-laboratory |
How to Collect and Submit a Soil Sample in Chittenden County:
- Pick up a Soil Kit: Pick up official sample boxes and submittal forms at the UVM Extension - Chittenden County (140 Kennedy Drive, Suite 201, South Burlington, VT 05403).
- 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 UVM Agricultural and Environmental Testing Laboratory.
3. Master Gardener Volunteer Program & Plant Clinic
The UVM Extension Master Gardeners provides free plant disease diagnostics, lawn care advice, and eco-friendly pest management tips.
| Program Name: | UVM Extension Master Gardeners |
| Plant Clinic Hours: | Monday & Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Note: Plant clinics run seasonally; call office during winter months) |
| Direct Helpline Phone: | (802) 656-5433 |
| Program Portal: | https://www.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener |
Volunteer Training: UVM faculty cold-climate gardening course.
4. Regional Soil & Growing Snapshot for Chittenden County
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: Zone 5a / 5b
Natural Soil Profile: Champlain Valley Silt Loam & Glacial Till
Popular Local Crops: Apples, berries, brassicas, maple sap, cool-season turf
Extension Specialist Tip: Vermont soils tend to be acidic; test soil pH in spring to determine lime requirements.
5. 🧮 Interactive Soil Amendment Calculator for Chittenden County
Estimate the recommended agricultural limestone or elemental sulfur needed to adjust your garden soil pH based on local Champlain Valley Silt Loam & Glacial Till characteristics.
📚 Recommended Extension Guides & Soil Articles
Learn more about interpreting your Chittenden County extension soil test report and managing plant nutrients:
Frequently Asked Questions (Chittenden County Directory)
The UVM Extension - Chittenden County is located at 140 Kennedy Drive, Suite 201, South Burlington, VT 05403. You can call their main desk directly at (802) 656-5433 during standard business hours (Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM).
Standard soil analysis for Chittenden County garden samples through UVM Agricultural and Environmental Testing Laboratory costs $15 per routine garden soil sample. Check with the office for special sample types.
You can reach the UVM Extension Master Gardeners hotline by calling (802) 656-5433 during plant clinic hours (Monday & Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM).
Chittenden County falls primarily within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5a / 5b. Local soil is characterized as Champlain Valley 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.