Gardeners and green industry professionals often call the UGA Extension Gwinnett office for answers to their horticulture and environmental protection questions. Research based information is available for lawns and ornamentals, fruit and vegetable gardening, ponds and pastures, and agricultural production. The University of Georgia offers an extensive assortment of publications on their website.

Soil can be tested for fertility and well water can be tested for safety and hardness. Visitors can bring samples of plants, weeds, or insects to the Cooperative Extension office for identification and sound advice to their questions.

Soil testing will help you develop and maintain a more productive soil by providing information about the fertility status of your soil. Information from a soil test will help you select the proper liming and fertilization program to obtain optimal growth of lawn, garden, and ornamental plants.

Soil samples may be brought to the UGA Extension Gwinnett office in a plastic or paper bag. The soil must be completely dry before bringing it to the office. It takes about 2 cups of soil mixed together from several areas all over your testing plot to make one sample. Put all the soil in one bag. The cost for the basic soil test is $8.00 (cash or check,or credit card) and it will take approximately 10 to 12 days for results. To view a video about performing your own soil test, click here. If you need further assistance on taking a soil test, click here.

Water quality is of great importance to many Americans today. Because of an increased interest in health, coupled with new information about the environment, the quality of our water receives a great amount of attention. This new focus on water quality has led many Americans to consider having their water tested. 

Public and municipal water supplies are routinely tested and must meet standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and usually do not need to be tested by us. On the other hand, well water is often tested for bacterial contamination, mineral content, pesticide contamination, or the presence of certain chemicals. To read more about water testing, please click here.