Soil Temperature in Massachusetts
The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Massachusetts is 82°F, based on 1 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 82°F to 82°F. Last updated July 2, 2026.
Current Planting Conditions
Summer conditions across Massachusetts with soil averaging 82°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 Massachusetts
Grass seed germination
Grass seed germination temperatures across Massachusetts. 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 Massachusetts (1)
For root-zone timing (fertilizer, aeration, weed control), see the 4-inch soil temperature for Massachusetts. For accumulated-heat timing, see growing degree days for Massachusetts. See the Massachusetts soil temperature map for the full station view.
| Station | 2" Temp | Last Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Hill 0 W | 82°F | 2026-07-02 |
Cities in Massachusetts (62)
| City | ZIP | Current Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Amherst | 01002 | 65°F |
| Andover | 01810 | 82°F |
| Arlington | 02474 | 82°F |
| Billerica | 01821 | 82°F |
| Boston | 02108 | 82°F |
| Braintree | 02184 | 82°F |
| Bridgewater | 02324 | 82°F |
| Brockton | 02301 | 82°F |
| Brookline | 02445 | 82°F |
| Burlington | 01803 | 82°F |
| Buzzards Bay | 02532 | 82°F |
| Cambridge | 02138 | 82°F |
| Centerville | 02632 | 82°F |
| Chicopee | 01013 | 91°F |
| Dalton | 01226 | 65°F |
| Dedham | 02026 | 82°F |
| Dorchester | 02121 | 82°F |
| Duxbury | 02331 | 82°F |
| Fall River | 02720 | 78°F |
| Falmouth | 02540 | 78°F |
| Framingham | 01701 | 82°F |
| Gloucester | 01930 | 82°F |
| Greenfield | 01301 | 65°F |
| Groton | 01450 | 82°F |
| Hanover | 02339 | 82°F |
| Haverhill | 01830 | 76°F |
| Hingham | 02043 | 82°F |
| Holyoke | 01040 | 65°F |
| Lakeville | 02348 | 82°F |
| Lawrence | 01840 | 76°F |
| Lexington | 02420 | 82°F |
| Longmeadow | 01106 | 91°F |
| Lowell | 01850 | 82°F |
| Lynn | 01901 | 82°F |
| Mansfield | 02048 | 82°F |
| Medford | 02153 | 82°F |
| Middleboro | 02344 | 82°F |
| Nantucket | 02554 | 83°F* |
| New Bedford | 02740 | 78°F |
| North Attleboro | 02760 | 82°F |
| North Easton | 02356 | 82°F |
| North Reading | 01864 | 82°F |
| Northampton | 01060 | 65°F |
| Peabody | 01960 | 82°F |
| Pittsfield | 01201 | 65°F |
| Plymouth | 02360 | 82°F |
| Quincy | 02169 | 82°F |
| Salem | 01970 | 82°F |
| Shrewsbury | 01545 | 82°F |
| Somerset | 02725 | 78°F |
| Somerville | 02143 | 82°F |
| Springfield | 01101 | 91°F |
| Stockbridge | 01262 | 91°F |
| Taunton | 02780 | 82°F |
| Waltham | 02451 | 82°F |
| Watertown | 02471 | 82°F |
| West Springfield | 01089 | 91°F |
| Westborough | 01580 | 82°F |
| Westfield | 01085 | 91°F |
| Westminster | 01441 | 82°F |
| Woburn | 01801 | 82°F |
| Worcester | 01601 | 82°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 Massachusetts
- 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 Massachusetts
What is the current soil temperature in Massachusetts?
The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Massachusetts is 82°F, based on 1 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 82°F to 82°F depending on location and elevation.
When should I apply pre-emergent in Massachusetts?
Apply pre-emergent herbicide when soil at 2 inches reaches 55°F for several consecutive days. Timing varies across Massachusetts, so check your city's page for station-specific readings and the pre-emergent timing recommendation.
When can I plant grass seed in Massachusetts?
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.