Soil Temperature in Georgia
The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Georgia is 87°F, based on 5 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 81°F to 91°F. Last updated July 2, 2026.
Current Planting Conditions
Summer conditions across Georgia with soil averaging 87°F at 2 inches. Warm-season grasses are in peak growth; keep cool-season lawns mowed high and watered deep. The next application windows arrive in fall, starting with pre-emergent as soil falls back through 70°F.
Grass Seed Germination in Georgia
Grass seed germination
Grass seed germination temperatures across Georgia. Soil warmth varies by location, so check a city page for the live reading and what germinates there now.
| Grass species | Germination optimum | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky bluegrass | 59–86°F | 14-30 |
| Tall fescue | 68–86°F | 7-12 |
| Perennial ryegrass | 68–86°F | 5-10 |
| Fine fescue | 59–77°F | 7-14 |
| Bermudagrass | 75–85°F | 10-30 |
Monitoring Stations in Georgia (5)
For root-zone timing (fertilizer, aeration, weed control), see the 4-inch soil temperature for Georgia. For accumulated-heat timing, see growing degree days for Georgia. See the Georgia soil temperature map for the full station view.
| Station | 2" Temp | Last Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Watkinsville #1 (Oconee) | 81°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Newton 8 W | 85°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Newton 11 SW | 91°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Watkinsville 5 SSE | 86°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Brunswick 23 S | 91°F | 2026-07-02 |
Cities in Georgia (78)
| City | ZIP | Current Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Acworth | 30101 | 85°F |
| Albany | 31701 | 85°F |
| Alpharetta | 30004 | 81°F |
| Alto | 30510 | 81°F |
| Americus | 31709 | 85°F |
| Athens | 30601 | 81°F |
| Atl | 30347 | 81°F |
| Atlanta | 30301 | 81°F |
| Augusta | 30901 | 82°F |
| Austell | 30106 | 80°F |
| Bainbridge | 39817 | 91°F |
| Baxley | 31513 | 83°F* |
| Blairsville | 30512 | 76°F* |
| Brunswick | 31520 | 91°F |
| Buford | 30515 | 81°F |
| Cairo | 39827 | 91°F |
| Calhoun | 30701 | 85°F |
| Canton | 30114 | 81°F |
| Carrollton | 30112 | 80°F |
| Cartersville | 30120 | 85°F |
| Columbus | 31901 | 87°F |
| Commerce | 30529 | 81°F |
| Conyers | 30012 | 81°F |
| Cordele | 31010 | 85°F |
| Covington | 30014 | 86°F |
| Cumming | 30028 | 81°F |
| Dahlonega | 30533 | 81°F |
| Dallas | 30132 | 80°F |
| Dalton | 30719 | 85°F |
| Decatur | 30030 | 81°F |
| Douglas | 31533 | 83°F* |
| Douglasville | 30133 | 80°F |
| Dublin | 31021 | 79°F* |
| Duluth | 30095 | 81°F |
| Eatonton | 31024 | 86°F |
| Ellijay | 30536 | 85°F |
| Fayetteville | 30214 | 80°F |
| Forest Park | 30297 | 81°F |
| Fort Benning | 31905 | 87°F |
| Fort Stewart | 31314 | 82°F |
| Gainesville | 30501 | 81°F |
| Griffin | 30223 | 86°F |
| Hinesville | 31310 | 82°F |
| Jesup | 31545 | 91°F |
| Jonesboro | 30236 | 86°F |
| Kennesaw | 30144 | 81°F |
| Lagrange | 30240 | 80°F |
| Lawrenceville | 30042 | 81°F |
| Lilburn | 30047 | 81°F |
| Lithonia | 30038 | 81°F |
| Macon | 31201 | 86°F |
| Marietta | 30006 | 81°F |
| Mcdonough | 30252 | 86°F |
| Milledgeville | 31059 | 86°F |
| Monroe | 30655 | 81°F |
| Morrow | 30260 | 81°F |
| Moultrie | 31768 | 91°F |
| Newnan | 30263 | 80°F |
| Norcross | 30003 | 81°F |
| North Metro | 30026 | 81°F |
| Peachtree City | 30269 | 80°F |
| Reidsville | 30453 | 82°F |
| Riverdale | 30274 | 81°F |
| Rome | 30161 | 85°F |
| Roswell | 30075 | 81°F |
| Savannah | 31401 | 82°F |
| Smyrna | 30080 | 81°F |
| Snellville | 30039 | 81°F |
| Statesboro | 30458 | 82°F |
| Stone Mountain | 30083 | 81°F |
| Thomasville | 31757 | 91°F |
| Tifton | 31793 | 85°F |
| Tucker | 30084 | 81°F |
| Valdosta | 31601 | 81°F |
| Vidalia | 30474 | 82°F* |
| Warner Robins | 31088 | 82°F* |
| Waycross | 31501 | 91°F |
| Woodstock | 30188 | 81°F |
Modeled estimate from Open-Meteo where no monitoring station is within 75 miles; all other readings are measured at USDA and NOAA stations.
Lawn Care Timing Guides for Georgia
- When to Apply Broadleaf Weed Killer on Warm-Season Lawns in Spring
Spring broadleaf timing for St.
- How to Identify and Kill Nutsedge in Your Lawn
Nutsedge is a sedge, not a grass, which is why standard weed control fails.
- How to Apply Liquid Pre-Emergent Herbicide
Learn how to mix, calibrate, and spray liquid pre-emergent herbicide.
- Grass Seed Germination Soil Temperature by Species
The soil temperature each grass species needs to germinate, from 15+ university extensions: tall fescue and perennial ryegrass 68-86°F, Kentucky bluegrass 59-86°F, fine fescue 59-77°F, cool-season 50°F trigger, warm-season 65°F.
Soil Temperature FAQ for Georgia
What is the current soil temperature in Georgia?
The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Georgia is 87°F, based on 5 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 81°F to 91°F depending on location and elevation.
When should I apply pre-emergent in Georgia?
Apply pre-emergent herbicide when soil at 2 inches reaches 55°F for several consecutive days. Timing varies across Georgia, so check your city's page for station-specific readings and the pre-emergent timing recommendation.
When can I plant grass seed in Georgia?
Cool-season grasses (fescue, bluegrass) can be seeded when soil holds between 50 and 65°F. Warm-season grasses (bermuda, zoysia) need soil above 65°F. Timing varies by location, so check your city's planting window for the dates specific to your area.