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Johnson County

Research-based Information You Can Trust — Localized for your needs

Johnson County
11811 S. Sunset Drive
Suite 1500
Olathe, KS 66061

Office Hours:

Monday - Friday,
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

(913) 715-7000
(913) 715-7005 fax
jo@listserv.ksu.edu

Map to our office

K-State Research and Extension is committed to making its services, activities and programs accessible to all participants. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting Johnson County Extension at (913)715-7000. Notify staff of accommodation needs as early as possible.

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Free Soil Testing for Johnson County Residents

The first key to lawn and garden success is knowing soil fertility. Johnson County residents are encouraged to take advantage of a free routine soil analysis which tests the pH, phosphorus and potassium levels of the soil, offered by Johnson County K- State Research and Extension through a grant with Johnson County Stormwater Management. The basic fertility test, sufficient for most homeowner lawns and gardens, normally costs $12. 


“A soil test can save you money on lawn or garden chemicals, and decrease runoff that pollutes our waterways,” Dennis Patton, county horticulture agent, stressed.

Who is eligible for this free offer
Even if you got a free test last year you're eligible for another. Johnson County homeowners are eligible to receive one free test per household per year. Johnson County agriculture producers, which includes pastures, row crops and commercial horticulture, are eligible to receive up to 10 free agriculture soil tests.

  • Important Note for Johnson County Residents Wanting a Free Soil Test: Do NOT send your sample directly to the K-State Soil Lab. If you do you will be charged by the university.

  • The offer for one free soil test will only be honored for samples that are processed through our office.

Bring or mail:

  1. Completed form,
  2. Bagged soil, and
  3. Additional payment, if needed. (Cash, check or credit card is accpeted. Make checks payable to: Johnson County Extension Council.)

To: Johnson County K-State Research and Extension,
11811 S. Sunset Dr. Suite 1500,
Olathe, KS 66061-7507

Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday

Map to our office

Results
It takes 3 –4 weeks to get the results back from K-State labs depending on factors such as mail and soil sample volume, so don’t delay.

To learn how to collect a proper soil sample, or to learn of additional tests that are available for a nominal fee.




Available Tests and Fee Schedule

Many different analyses are conducted at the KSU Soil Testing Lab.

The most common tests for Kansas soils are for pH, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), nitrate (NO3), and organic matter. Below are the base packages recommended for most situations.

Package #1 - pH, P and K. This information is sufficient for most home lawns, vegetable and flower gardens. Recommend for gardeners using traditional chemical forms of fertilization. Soil testing fee-$12.00.

  • Note: Johnson County residents get one free basic soil test per household address. Sample MUST be brought or sent to our office in order for there to be no charge. If you send your sample directly to the K-State Soil Lab you will be charged by K-State.

Gardeners Package-pH,P, K, Organic Matter and Nitrate levels. This package is recommended for organic gardeners or those who use compost, manure, or other organically and nitrogen rich products in their fertility program. Soil testing fee-$20.00.

Package #2 - pH, P, K, Nitrate and Zinc. This package is rarely needed for home gardeners unless they grow crops that require zinc such as fruit and nut crops. Soil testing fee-$20.00.

Package #3-pH, P, K, Organic Matter, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, and CEC. This package is recommended only for specialty crop growers. (Not recommended for home gardeners.) Soil testing fee-$20.00.

Additional testing is available through the K-State Soil Lab. Please ask about special needs for your soil.

Heavy Metals Testing

Local soil for gardening may have the potential to be contaminated with metals from  lead based paint, manufacturing or industry. Gardening in these soils could be potentially harmful. The soil lab can test for the following heavy metals: Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium and Chromium. Complete Heavy Metals Panel Soil testing fee-$30.00. First metal $15.00. Additional trace elements $3.00.

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