Soil Testing, Insect ID & Plant Diagnostic Lab
Plant Diagnostic Lab & Plant Health
Due to the public health concern caused by the COVID-19 virus, UNH administration made the decision to close all University offices and adjust diagnostic services until further notice. We appreciate your understanding and patience during this uncertain time.
Walk-in and mail-in samples will no longer be accepted for any diagnostic service until further notice. (Samples received after March 17 will be processed when services resume)
Online Service
For home gardeners:
Ask UNH Extension staff will answer soil,plant and insect questions on the phone at 1-877-EXT-GROW (398-4769), via email at answers@unh.edu, and Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
For commercial producers/operations only:
- Soil samples: In the absence of a soil test, commercial growers should refer to previous soil tests, home gardeners follow guidelines recommended in our factsheets for fertilizing vegetable gardens or fruit trees. If you have misplaced your old soil test, contact Shyloh.Favreau@unh.edu. Soils already submitted to the lab will be processed when services resume.
- Plant samples: The Plant Diagnostic Lab is accepting digital samples sent by email to pdl.digitalsample@unh.edu. Submissions must include your name, phone number, business name, county, host plant, problem, date when symptoms were noted and good, in-focus images.
- Arthropod samples: Our staff are accepting digital samples sent by email to answers@unh.edu. Submission must include your name, phone number,business name, county, where you found the specimen and good, in-focus images.
Submitting Samples at Spaulding Hall
Soil, insect and plant samples may be left in bin outside room G28. Plant samples may also be left outside room G37.
*Attention: Beginning May 20, 2019 there will be many construction projects on campus including major construction around Spaulding Hall throughout the summer. Please read the details below if you plan to drop-off a plant, insect, or soil sample.
Option 1. The Rudman Hall loading dock will be available for short term parking (turn on your hazard lights). To get there, drive down College road and turn left onto the short-unmarked road just before Rudman Hall. The loading dock will be directly on your right. Enter Rudman Hall from the College Road entrance and walk down the hall, through the double doors, and up the ramped walk-way. This will bring you to Spaulding Hall. Turn left at the top of the ramp and G28 will be down the hall on your right.
Option 2. Alternatively, Academic Way (near the end of Spaulding Hall) will be closed off shortly after 5/20/19 but a pedestrian path will be maintained along Academic Way from Arts Way to Morse circle/DeMeritt Way. The pay station parking on Academic way will still be available. To access Spaulding, walk down the pedestrian path to the circle and enter Spaulding Hall from the West entrance (across from Rudman). Once in the building take the staircase on your left to the ground floor. Then, take two left turns and room G28 will be down the hall on your right.
Be aware that GPS typically does not get you to our location. Use the map and written directions below for best results.
Thank you for your patience as we embark on many projects to improve the UNH Durham campus. If you have any concerns or need guidance to our drop-off location in Spaulding Hall please call 603-862-3200.
