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 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 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.
| Station | 2" Temp | Last Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Chatham 1 SE | 67°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Gaylord 9 SSW | 75°F | 2026-07-02 |
Cities in Michigan (82)
| City | ZIP | Current Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Ada | 49301 | 73°F* |
| Alma | 48801 | 75°F* |
| Ann Arbor | 48103 | 78°F* |
| Auburn Hills | 48321 | 76°F* |
| Battle Creek | 49014 | 74°F* |
| Bay City | 48706 | 76°F* |
| Belleville | 48111 | 78°F* |
| Benton Harbor | 49022 | 77°F* |
| Berrien Springs | 49103 | 76°F* |
| Birmingham | 48009 | 79°F* |
| Bloomfield Hills | 48301 | 79°F* |
| Brighton | 48114 | 74°F* |
| Burton | 48509 | 74°F* |
| Canton | 48187 | 79°F* |
| Clarkston | 48346 | 73°F* |
| Clinton Township | 48035 | 82°F* |
| Dearborn | 48120 | 81°F* |
| Dearborn Heights | 48125 | 84°F* |
| Detroit | 48201 | 81°F* |
| East Lansing | 48823 | 73°F* |
| Eckerman | 49728 | 70°F* |
| Farmington | 48331 | 78°F* |
| Flint | 48501 | 75°F* |
| Frankenmuth | 48734 | 74°F* |
| Fremont | 49412 | 75°F* |
| Garden City | 48135 | 80°F* |
| Gaylord | 49734 | 75°F |
| Grand Blanc | 48439 | 73°F* |
| Grand Rapids | 49501 | 73°F* |
| Grandville | 49418 | 75°F* |
| Grayling | 49738 | 75°F |
| Grosse Pointe | 48230 | 82°F* |
| Highland | 48356 | 73°F* |
| Holland | 49422 | 76°F* |
| Howell | 48843 | 74°F* |
| Jackson | 49201 | 74°F* |
| Jenison | 49428 | 76°F* |
| Kalamazoo | 49001 | 75°F* |
| Kincheloe | 49784 | 69°F* |
| Lake Orion | 48359 | 74°F* |
| Lansing | 48901 | 73°F* |
| Livonia | 48150 | 80°F* |
| Macomb | 48042 | 80°F* |
| Marshall | 49068 | 74°F* |
| Midland | 48640 | 74°F* |
| Milford | 48380 | 73°F* |
| Monroe | 48161 | 83°F* |
| Mount Clemens | 48043 | 80°F* |
| Mount Pleasant | 48804 | 75°F* |
| Muskegon | 49440 | 76°F* |
| New Baltimore | 48047 | 80°F* |
| New Haven | 48048 | 73°F* |
| Niles | 49120 | 75°F* |
| Northville | 48167 | 79°F* |
| Novi | 48374 | 75°F* |
| Okemos | 48805 | 73°F* |
| Oxford | 48370 | 72°F* |
| Pontiac | 48340 | 76°F* |
| Port Huron | 48060 | 73°F* |
| Portage | 49002 | 74°F* |
| Redford | 48239 | 82°F* |
| Rochester | 48306 | 75°F* |
| Rockford | 49341 | 74°F* |
| Royal Oak | 48067 | 80°F* |
| Saginaw | 48601 | 74°F* |
| Saint Clair Shores | 48080 | 82°F* |
| Southfield | 48033 | 80°F* |
| Sterling Heights | 48310 | 79°F* |
| Tawas City | 48763 | 75°F |
| Traverse City | 49684 | 75°F |
| Troy | 48007 | 76°F* |
| Utica | 48315 | 79°F* |
| Vassar | 48768 | 74°F* |
| Walled Lake | 48390 | 75°F* |
| Warren | 48088 | 81°F* |
| Washington | 48094 | 74°F* |
| Waterford | 48327 | 76°F* |
| West Bloomfield | 48322 | 78°F* |
| Westland | 48185 | 80°F* |
| White Lake | 48383 | 73°F* |
| Wyoming | 49509 | 75°F* |
| Ypsilanti | 48197 | 79°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
- 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 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.
