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Soil Temperature in Michigan

The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Michigan is 71°F, based on 2 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 67°F to 75°F. Last updated July 2, 2026.

Current Planting Conditions

Summer conditions across Michigan with soil averaging 71°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 Michigan

Grass seed germination

Grass seed germination temperatures across Michigan. Soil warmth varies by location, so check a city page for the live reading and what germinates there now.

Grass speciesGermination optimumDays
Kentucky bluegrass59–86°F14-30
Tall fescue68–86°F7-12
Perennial ryegrass68–86°F5-10
Fine fescue59–77°F7-14
Bermudagrass75–85°F10-30

See all species and the full germination guide →

Monitoring Stations in Michigan (2)

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

Station2" TempLast Reading
Chatham 1 SE67°F2026-07-02
Gaylord 9 SSW75°F2026-07-02

Cities in Michigan (82)

Cities in Michigan with current soil temperature readings
CityZIPCurrent Temp
Ada4930173°F*
Alma4880175°F*
Ann Arbor4810378°F*
Auburn Hills4832176°F*
Battle Creek4901474°F*
Bay City4870676°F*
Belleville4811178°F*
Benton Harbor4902277°F*
Berrien Springs4910376°F*
Birmingham4800979°F*
Bloomfield Hills4830179°F*
Brighton4811474°F*
Burton4850974°F*
Canton4818779°F*
Clarkston4834673°F*
Clinton Township4803582°F*
Dearborn4812081°F*
Dearborn Heights4812584°F*
Detroit4820181°F*
East Lansing4882373°F*
Eckerman4972870°F*
Farmington4833178°F*
Flint4850175°F*
Frankenmuth4873474°F*
Fremont4941275°F*
Garden City4813580°F*
Gaylord4973475°F
Grand Blanc4843973°F*
Grand Rapids4950173°F*
Grandville4941875°F*
Grayling4973875°F
Grosse Pointe4823082°F*
Highland4835673°F*
Holland4942276°F*
Howell4884374°F*
Jackson4920174°F*
Jenison4942876°F*
Kalamazoo4900175°F*
Kincheloe4978469°F*
Lake Orion4835974°F*
Lansing4890173°F*
Livonia4815080°F*
Macomb4804280°F*
Marshall4906874°F*
Midland4864074°F*
Milford4838073°F*
Monroe4816183°F*
Mount Clemens4804380°F*
Mount Pleasant4880475°F*
Muskegon4944076°F*
New Baltimore4804780°F*
New Haven4804873°F*
Niles4912075°F*
Northville4816779°F*
Novi4837475°F*
Okemos4880573°F*
Oxford4837072°F*
Pontiac4834076°F*
Port Huron4806073°F*
Portage4900274°F*
Redford4823982°F*
Rochester4830675°F*
Rockford4934174°F*
Royal Oak4806780°F*
Saginaw4860174°F*
Saint Clair Shores4808082°F*
Southfield4803380°F*
Sterling Heights4831079°F*
Tawas City4876375°F
Traverse City4968475°F
Troy4800776°F*
Utica4831579°F*
Vassar4876874°F*
Walled Lake4839075°F*
Warren4808881°F*
Washington4809474°F*
Waterford4832776°F*
West Bloomfield4832278°F*
Westland4818580°F*
White Lake4838373°F*
Wyoming4950975°F*
Ypsilanti4819779°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 Michigan

Soil Temperature FAQ for Michigan

What is the current soil temperature in Michigan?

The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Michigan is 71°F, based on 2 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 67°F to 75°F depending on location and elevation.

When should I apply pre-emergent in Michigan?

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

When can I plant grass seed in Michigan?

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.