Santa Rosa County Plant Clinics

The UF/IFAS Extension in Santa Rosa County offers free plant clinics. These clinics can help with soil pH testing, plant diseases, plant identification, insect identification, and other questions.

Soil pH Testing

A soil pH test shows if your soil is acidic or alkaline. This helps you know if your soil is too low or too high in pH. Lime recommendations can only be made for soil samples sent to the University of Florida, because their test also measures how well your soil can hold pH changes.

pH tests are done at the Milton office. A Master Gardener will contact you with your results in a few days.

How to Take a Soil Sample

• Use a trowel or shovel to move aside grass or mulch.

• Collect small amounts of soil from 10–15 spots in the area you want to test.

• For lawns, take soil from the top 2–4 inches.

• For gardens or landscape beds, take soil from the top 6 inches.

• Mix all the soil together in a clean plastic bucket and let it dry.

• Submit about 2 cups of the mixed soil in a container or plastic bag.

• Include your name, address, and phone number.

Soil Nutrient Testing

The University of Florida Soil Testing Lab in Gainesville offers a full soil test for $10. This test includes pH, nutrients (except nitrogen), and recommendations. You can pick up soil test kits at any Santa Rosa County Extension Office.

Forms are available for homeowners and commercial growers.

Request forms:

Homeowners can submit samples using the Landscape and Vegetable Garden Soil Test Request Form (120KB pdf).

Commercial producers use one of the following forms:

• Producer Soil Request Form (108KB pdf)
• Container Media Soil Request Form (107KB pdf)
• Pine Nursery Soil test Request Form (96KB pdf)

Disease Testing

The Extension Office can help diagnose plant diseases. Some problems can be identified over the phone, but often a plant sample is needed.

Flower, Shrub, and Tree Samples

• Bring plenty of plant material showing different stages of the problem.

• Include both healthy and sick parts.

• Bring small branches for trees and shrubs.

• Do not let samples dry out. Refrigerate if needed.

Turf (Grass) Samples

• Bring a piece of turf about 8 inches by 8 inches and 2–3 inches deep.

• Take the sample from the edge of the damaged area so it shows both healthy and sick grass.

• Do not let the sample dry out. Refrigerate if needed.

Pathology Lab

Some samples may need to be sent to the UF Plant Disease Clinic. The cost is $40 plus shipping, and the client pays the full amount.

Insect Identification

The Extension Office can identify many insects. Sometimes you may need to bring in a sample.

• Bring several insects in a proper container.

• Live insects are best.

• If you cannot bring them right away, freeze them or place them in rubbing alcohol.

The UF Insect Identification Lab can also identify insects for $8 per sample.

The Insect Identification Lab at the University of Florida will also identify insects for a fee of $8 per sample. For more information, refer to How to Send an Insect Sample (33KB pdf) and the Insect I.D. Form (86KB pdf) .

Nematode Testing

Nematodes are tiny worms that attack plant roots. They are hard to diagnose without a lab test. Testing costs $20 plus shipping, and the client pays the full amount.

For more information, refer to Preparing a Nematode Sample and the Nematode Form(88KB pdf).

Plant Identification

The Extension Office can identify many plants. Sometimes you may need to bring in a sample.

• Bring as much of the plant as possible, including leaves, stems, and flowers.

• Keep the plant fresh and do not let it dry out.

Water Salinity Testing

The Extension Office offers free water salinity testing. This test measures the salt level in well water.

• Let your well water run for a few minutes.

• Collect about 2 cups of water in a clean container.

• Bring the sample to any Extension office.

• A Master Gardener will contact you with the results in a few days.