Indiana Soil Temperature: 80°F Average (Live from USDA & NOAA Stations)

Current Planting Conditions

Summer conditions across Indiana with soil averaging 80°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 Indiana

Grass seed germination

Grass seed germination temperatures across Indiana. 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

See all species and the full germination guide →

Monitoring Stations in Indiana (1)

For root-zone timing (fertilizer, aeration, weed control), see the 4-inch soil temperature for Indiana. For accumulated-heat timing, see growing degree days for Indiana. See the Indiana soil temperature map for the full station view.

Station	2" Temp	Last Reading
Bedford 5 WNW	80°F	2026-07-02

Cities in Indiana (34)

Cities in Indiana with current soil temperature readings
City	ZIP	Current Temp
Anderson	46011	82°F*
Bloomington	47401	80°F
Carmel	46032	82°F*
Columbus	47201	80°F
Crawfordsville	47933	81°F*
Crown Point	46307	77°F*
Elkhart	46514	76°F*
Evansville	47701	82°F
Fishers	46037	82°F*
Fort Wayne	46801	81°F*
Gary	46401	77°F*
Goshen	46526	76°F*
Greenwood	46142	80°F
Hammond	46320	74°F
Indianapolis	46201	80°F
Jasper	47546	80°F
Jeffersonville	47130	83°F
Kokomo	46901	81°F*
La Porte	46350	76°F*
Lafayette	47901	81°F*
Marion	46952	81°F*
Merrillville	46410	77°F*
Michigan City	46360	76°F*
Mishawaka	46544	77°F*
Muncie	47302	82°F*
New Albany	47150	80°F
Newburgh	47629	80°F
Noblesville	46060	82°F*
Richmond	47374	82°F*
South Bend	46601	78°F*
Terre Haute	47801	80°F
Valparaiso	46383	76°F*
Warsaw	46580	78°F*
West Lafayette	47906	80°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 Indiana

Summer Lawn Dormancy: Keep Cool-Season Grass Alive in Heat
Cool-season grass slows once 2-inch soil sustains 75°F and goes dormant near 85°F.
When to Apply Grub Control: The 65-70°F Soil Window
Apply preventive grub control (chlorantraniliprole or imidacloprid) before eggs hatch, when 2-4 inch soil holds 65-70°F: late June through July in most regions.
Lawn Fungus by Temperature: Brown Patch, Dollar Spot & More
Brown patch and Pythium strike when humid nights hold above 68°F on lush, over-fertilized turf; dollar spot, red thread, and rust hit slow-growing lawns at 60-85°F.
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 Indiana

What is the current soil temperature in Indiana?

The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Indiana is 80°F, based on 1 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 80°F to 80°F depending on location and elevation.

When should I apply pre-emergent in Indiana?

Apply pre-emergent herbicide when soil at 2 inches reaches 55°F for several consecutive days. Timing varies across Indiana, so check your city's page for station-specific readings and the pre-emergent timing recommendation.

When can I plant grass seed in Indiana?

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.