The Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program provides intensive training in horticulture to interested Ohio residents, who then volunteer their time assisting with educational programs and activities for Ohio residents through their local OSU Extension county office. Volunteers are not required to have gardening skills or knowledge, but a passion for learning about gardening and sharing this knowledge with others is a must!
Working with county Extension personnel, Master Gardener Volunteers provide such educational services to their communities as answering gardening questions from the public; conducting plant clinics; gardening activities with children, senior citizens, or disabled persons; beautifying the community; and developing community or demonstration gardens.
More information about state-level Master Gardener Volunteer programs and activities is available at http://mastergardener.osu.edu.
Brochure Page One and Brochure Page Two
The Shelby County Extension office now has soil testing kits available for sale.
Kits are $11 (cash or check) includes tax and can be picked up at our office during normal business hours, M-F 8:30-4:30, or mailed (See table below for pricing). Testing is available for gardens, home lawns, farm fields, and commercial horticulture operations. Each sample is analyzed for water pH, Mehlich buffer lime requirement, and for phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and calcium by the Mehlich 3 (ICP) test. The final report includes the chemical analysis of the soil along with lime and fertilizer recommendations for the crop specified. For agronomic crops, Mehlich 3 zinc, copper and sulfur are also reported. Several optional tests are also available at an additional charge. The analysis is done by a non-biased university soil testing laboratory at Penn State University.
Instructions and a soil testing fact sheet are included.
A copy of the results will also be sent to our office.
If you would like a soil testing kit mailed to you, please send a check for the corresponding price below made out to the OSU Extension Shelby County and mail to 810 Fair Road, Sidney, OH 45365.
If you are not sure how many kits you need, please call our office so we can help determine the correct quantity for what you are trying to test.
# of Soil Testing Kits |
Price for Shipping |
Total Price |
1 |
.70 |
$11.70 |
2 |
.90 |
$22.90 |
3 |
1.65 |
$34.65 |
4 |
1.90 |
$45.90 |
5 |
2.10 |
$57.10 |
6 |
2.30 |
$68.30 |