Soil labs by state
Minnesota
Minnesota’s official public soil-testing option for homeowners is the University of Minnesota Soil Testing Laboratory in St. Paul, which UMN Extension points residents to for lawn and garden samples. Current statewide UMN pages clearly show mail/ship and direct lab drop-off options, and they also direct residents to UMN Extension local offices for free sample bags, forms, and county office lookup. ([soiltest.cfans.umn.edu](https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/?utm_source=openai))
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- State soil lab
- University of Minnesota Soil Testing Laboratory
Official resources in Minnesota
Main official lab page with current submission methods, address, turnaround, and links to homeowner testing forms and prices. ([soiltest.cfans.umn.edu](https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/?utm_source=openai))
Official homeowner page showing the regular lawn-and-garden test and its published per-sample price. ([soiltest.cfans.umn.edu](https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden?utm_source=openai))
Extension guidance for homeowners on collecting samples, getting free sample bags/forms from county Extension, and what to expect from results. ([extension.umn.edu](https://extension.umn.edu/garden-and-home/yard-and-garden/gardening-in-minnesota/soil-testing-for-lawns-and-gardens?utm_source=openai))
Official contact page with the St. Paul lab address, office hours, and curbside drop-off parking details. ([soiltest.cfans.umn.edu](https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/contact-us?utm_source=openai))
County-by-county UMN Extension office finder for Minnesota residents seeking their local office. ([extension.umn.edu](https://extension.umn.edu/local?utm_source=openai))
Key facts for Minnesota
- Minnesota’s public soil-testing lab for homeowners is the University of Minnesota Soil Testing Laboratory, part of the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station. ([soiltest.cfans.umn.edu](https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/?utm_source=openai))
- The lab says homeowners may mail or ship samples, or drop them off directly at 135 Crops Research Building, 1902 Dudley Avenue, St. Paul. ([soiltest.cfans.umn.edu](https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/?utm_source=openai))
- UMN Extension says local county Extension offices can provide free soil sample bags and submission forms. ([extension.umn.edu](https://extension.umn.edu/garden-and-home/yard-and-garden/gardening-in-minnesota/soil-testing-for-lawns-and-gardens?utm_source=openai))
- The published regular Lawn & Garden soil test price is $22 per sample. ([soiltest.cfans.umn.edu](https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden?utm_source=openai))
- The soil lab says turnaround for soil testing is about two weeks. ([soiltest.cfans.umn.edu](https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/?utm_source=openai))
- I did not find a statewide official page confirming county Extension offices accept homeowner soil samples for drop-off forwarding; statewide pages only clearly confirm bags/forms and local-office lookup. ([extension.umn.edu](https://extension.umn.edu/garden-and-home/yard-and-garden/gardening-in-minnesota/soil-testing-for-lawns-and-gardens?utm_source=openai))
What to do next
- Use the UMN Lawn & Garden page to print the current request sheet, then mail/ship your sample or take it directly to the St. Paul lab. ([soiltest.cfans.umn.edu](https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden?utm_source=openai))
- Before collecting soil, check the UMN Extension sampling guidance and pick up free sample bags/forms from your local county Extension office if needed. ([extension.umn.edu](https://extension.umn.edu/garden-and-home/yard-and-garden/gardening-in-minnesota/soil-testing-for-lawns-and-gardens?utm_source=openai))
- Find your county office through the UMN Extension local-office finder, then ask that office whether it offers any local sample handoff service. ([extension.umn.edu](https://extension.umn.edu/local?utm_source=openai))
Helpful guides
- How to take a soil sample for a lab test
- University soil labs vs. private labs vs. home kits
- How to read a soil test report
- Soil pH and lime: what your test is telling you