Garden Links and Resources
Analytic Testing Laboratories for Home Gardeners: Soils, Water, Plants, Heavy Metals and More
If you are starting a new garden, or your existing garden isn't performing as you like, you may need to find a professional to assess your soil condition. Soil testing can help you understand the composition of your soil, detect mineral deficiencies, and reveal heavy metal contamination like lead in the soil. We have compiled the following resources to help Alameda County gardeners:
Get Started
Contact the labs to confirm offered services, pricing, and preferred procedures for sample collection. Testing labs vary in the types of available tests and recommendations they provide if any. Be sure to ask for
detailed information regarding tests, test fees and interpretation, and whether recommendations are included.
Many of the websites provide supplemental information about tests and sampling.
Resources regarding soils and soil testing
- Soil Testing and Soil Contaminants (UCANR Urban Agriculture)
- Cornell Guide to Soil Testing and Interpreting Results (PDF)
- Home Gardens and Lead (Publication #8424, PDF)
Soil Testing Labs
We are sharing this non-exhaustive list of testing labs. No endorsement of any provider is implied.
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A & L Western Laboratories, Inc. |
Test descriptions and fees available online.
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California Laboratory Services |
Test descriptions available online. Call for fees.
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Control Laboratories, Inc. |
Test descriptions and fees available online under shipping info.
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Dellavalle Laboratory, Inc. |
Test descriptions and fees available online. Call/email for fees.
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Fruit Growers Laboratory Inc. |
Test descriptions and fees available online.
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Harmony Farm Supply & Nursery
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Call for test availability, description and fees.
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Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply
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Test descriptions and fees online.
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Perry Laboratory
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Test descriptions and fees available online.
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Wallace Laboratories
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In-depth explanations of test descriptions and fees available online.
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Waypoint Analytical, Inc.
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Test descriptions and fees available online. Some videos about their testing can be found here.
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