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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
Ada4930172°F*
Alma4880173°F*
Ann Arbor4810373°F*
Auburn Hills4832173°F*
Battle Creek4901472°F*
Bay City4870673°F*
Belleville4811174°F*
Benton Harbor4902275°F*
Berrien Springs4910374°F*
Birmingham4800975°F*
Bloomfield Hills4830175°F*
Brighton4811472°F*
Burton4850973°F*
Canton4818774°F*
Clarkston4834672°F*
Clinton Township4803576°F*
Dearborn4812076°F*
Dearborn Heights4812577°F*
Detroit4820176°F*
East Lansing4882372°F*
Eckerman4972866°F*
Farmington4833174°F*
Flint4850173°F*
Frankenmuth4873473°F*
Fremont4941271°F*
Garden City4813576°F*
Gaylord4973475°F
Grand Blanc4843972°F*
Grand Rapids4950172°F*
Grandville4941873°F*
Grayling4973875°F
Grosse Pointe4823077°F*
Highland4835672°F*
Holland4942273°F*
Howell4884372°F*
Jackson4920172°F*
Jenison4942873°F*
Kalamazoo4900173°F*
Kincheloe4978466°F*
Lake Orion4835973°F*
Lansing4890172°F*
Livonia4815076°F*
Macomb4804277°F*
Marshall4906872°F*
Midland4864072°F*
Milford4838072°F*
Monroe4816176°F*
Mount Clemens4804377°F*
Mount Pleasant4880472°F*
Muskegon4944072°F*
New Baltimore4804777°F*
New Haven4804874°F*
Niles4912073°F*
Northville4816774°F*
Novi4837473°F*
Okemos4880572°F*
Oxford4837071°F*
Pontiac4834073°F*
Port Huron4806074°F*
Portage4900272°F*
Redford4823976°F*
Rochester4830673°F*
Rockford4934172°F*
Royal Oak4806776°F*
Saginaw4860173°F*
Saint Clair Shores4808077°F*
Southfield4803375°F*
Sterling Heights4831075°F*
Tawas City4876375°F
Traverse City4968475°F
Troy4800773°F*
Utica4831576°F*
Vassar4876873°F*
Walled Lake4839073°F*
Warren4808876°F*
Washington4809473°F*
Waterford4832773°F*
West Bloomfield4832274°F*
Westland4818575°F*
White Lake4838372°F*
Wyoming4950973°F*
Ypsilanti4819774°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.