Soil Temperature in Louisiana
The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Louisiana is 83°F, based on 2 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 82°F to 84°F. Last updated July 2, 2026.
Current Planting Conditions
Summer conditions across Louisiana with soil averaging 83°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 Louisiana
Grass seed germination
Grass seed germination temperatures across Louisiana. 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 Louisiana (2)
For root-zone timing (fertilizer, aeration, weed control), see the 4-inch soil temperature for Louisiana. For accumulated-heat timing, see growing degree days for Louisiana. See the Louisiana soil temperature map for the full station view.
| Station | 2" Temp | Last Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Lafayette 13 SE | 84°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Monroe 26 N | 82°F | 2026-07-02 |
Cities in Louisiana (42)
| City | ZIP | Current Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Abbeville | 70510 | 84°F |
| Alexandria | 71301 | 80°F* |
| Baker | 70704 | 84°F |
| Bastrop | 71220 | 82°F |
| Baton Rouge | 70801 | 84°F |
| Belle Chasse | 70037 | 83°F* |
| Bogalusa | 70427 | 82°F |
| Bossier City | 71111 | 81°F* |
| Chalmette | 70043 | 85°F* |
| Covington | 70433 | 80°F* |
| Crowley | 70526 | 84°F |
| Denham Springs | 70706 | 84°F |
| Gonzales | 70707 | 84°F |
| Gretna | 70053 | 83°F* |
| Hammond | 70401 | 80°F* |
| Harvey | 70058 | 83°F* |
| Houma | 70360 | 80°F* |
| Kenner | 70062 | 84°F* |
| La Place | 70068 | 84°F* |
| Lafayette | 70500 | 84°F |
| Lake Charles | 70601 | 85°F |
| Leesville | 71446 | 80°F* |
| Mandeville | 70448 | 83°F* |
| Marrero | 70072 | 83°F* |
| Metairie | 70001 | 84°F* |
| Minden | 71055 | 82°F |
| Monroe | 71201 | 82°F |
| Morgan City | 70380 | 84°F |
| Natchitoches | 71457 | 80°F* |
| New Iberia | 70560 | 84°F |
| New Orleans | 70112 | 85°F* |
| Opelousas | 70570 | 84°F |
| Pineville | 71359 | 80°F* |
| Plaquemine | 70764 | 84°F |
| Ruston | 71270 | 82°F |
| Shreveport | 71101 | 81°F* |
| Slidell | 70458 | 82°F |
| Sulphur | 70663 | 85°F |
| Tallulah | 71282 | 83°F |
| Thibodaux | 70301 | 84°F |
| West Monroe | 71291 | 82°F |
| Westwego | 70094 | 84°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 Louisiana
- 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 Louisiana
What is the current soil temperature in Louisiana?
The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Louisiana is 83°F, based on 2 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 82°F to 84°F depending on location and elevation.
When should I apply pre-emergent in Louisiana?
Apply pre-emergent herbicide when soil at 2 inches reaches 55°F for several consecutive days. Timing varies across Louisiana, so check your city's page for station-specific readings and the pre-emergent timing recommendation.
When can I plant grass seed in Louisiana?
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.