Kanawha County, WV Extension Office & Soil Testing Directory
Welcome to the official directory resource for Kanawha County, WV. Connecting local homeowners, urban gardeners, and commercial growers with West Virginia's land-grant university extension resources, state soil testing lab services, and Master Gardener volunteer clinics.
1. Extension Office Contact Details & Operational Hours
The WVU Extension - Kanawha County serves as the primary educational extension center in Kanawha County. Visit or call during standard operational hours for agricultural advice, soil sample kits, and youth 4-H programs.
| Official Office Name: | WVU Extension - Kanawha County |
| Physical Address: | 4700 MacCorkle Ave SE, Suite 101, Charleston, WV 25304 |
| Direct Phone Desk: | (304) 720-9573 |
| Email Contact: | kanawhacountyextension@mail.wvu.edu |
| Office Hours: | Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Official Web Portal: | https://extension.wvu.edu/kanawha |
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 Kanawha County is WVU Soil Testing Laboratory.
| Official Testing Lab: | WVU Soil Testing Laboratory |
| Lab Location: | 1090 Agricultural Sciences Bldg, Morgantown, WV 26506 |
| Routine Sample Fee: | $0 (Free routine testing for WV residents) |
| Expected Turnaround: | 5 to 7 business days |
| Official Lab Website: | https://extension.wvu.edu/agriculture/soil-testing |
How to Collect and Submit a Soil Sample in Kanawha County:
- Pick up a Soil Kit: Pick up official sample boxes and submittal forms at the WVU Extension - Kanawha County (4700 MacCorkle Ave SE, Suite 101, Charleston, WV 25304).
- 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 WVU Soil Testing Laboratory.
3. Master Gardener Volunteer Program & Plant Clinic
The Kanawha County Master Gardeners provides free plant disease diagnostics, lawn care advice, and eco-friendly pest management tips.
| Program Name: | Kanawha County Master Gardeners |
| Plant Clinic Hours: | Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Note: Plant clinics run seasonally; call office during winter months) |
| Direct Helpline Phone: | (304) 720-9573 |
| Program Portal: | https://extension.wvu.edu/lawn-gardening-pests/master-gardener-program |
Volunteer Training: 30 hours of WVU Extension horticulture instruction.
4. Regional Soil & Growing Snapshot for Kanawha County
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: Zone 6b / 7a
Natural Soil Profile: Appalachian Plateau Clay Loam & Silt
Popular Local Crops: Tomatoes, apples, beans, squash, pasture turf
Extension Specialist Tip: West Virginia residents receive free state soil testing; sample garden beds annually.
5. 🧮 Interactive Soil Amendment Calculator for Kanawha County
Estimate the recommended agricultural limestone or elemental sulfur needed to adjust your garden soil pH based on local Appalachian Plateau Clay Loam & Silt characteristics.
📚 Recommended Extension Guides & Soil Articles
Learn more about interpreting your Kanawha County extension soil test report and managing plant nutrients:
Frequently Asked Questions (Kanawha County Directory)
The WVU Extension - Kanawha County is located at 4700 MacCorkle Ave SE, Suite 101, Charleston, WV 25304. You can call their main desk directly at (304) 720-9573 during standard business hours (Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM).
Standard soil analysis for Kanawha County garden samples through WVU Soil Testing Laboratory costs $0 (Free routine testing for WV residents). Check with the office for special sample types.
You can reach the Kanawha County Master Gardeners hotline by calling (304) 720-9573 during plant clinic hours (Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM).
Kanawha County falls primarily within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b / 7a. Local soil is characterized as Appalachian Plateau Clay Loam & Silt.
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.