Cool-season · fall window
For cool-season lawns (fescue, bluegrass, ryegrass), fall is the best time to plant grass seed in Minnesota, with spring the second choice: fall seedlings face less weed competition and mature before summer heat.
Soil Temperature in Minnesota
The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Minnesota is 59°F. Readings range from 56°F to 62°F, from 4 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Soil across Minnesota is right at the seasonal normal of 59°F for early October, based on 4 of 4 stations with historical records. Minnesota spans USDA hardiness zones 3b to 5a, cool-season grass country. Last updated September 30, 2026.
Current Planting Conditions
Prime fall conditions across Minnesota with soil averaging 59°F at 2 inches. This is the best seeding window of the year for tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass, and the main fall feeding window for cool-season lawns.
Best Time to Plant Grass Seed in Minnesota
Cool-season · spring window
May 11
May 5 (warmest parts) to May 27 (coolest)
Spring is the second choice: the window opens when soil first holds 50°F and narrows as soil passes 65°F, typically by June 19.
| Region | Typical spring window opens | Typical fall window opens | Stations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Minnesota | May 27 | — | 2 |
| Central Minnesota | May 11 | — | 2 |
Fall seeding also needs a stop date: new seedlings want about six weeks of growth before frost arrives. Your city page estimates the last safe seeding date from its nearest station: see when to plant in Minneapolis, when to plant in Saint Paul or when to plant in Young America. Readings current through September 30, 2026: Minnesota averages 59°F at 2 inches right now; the Current Planting Conditions section above reads that number against the season.
Typical dates are computed from historical 2-inch soil temperature averages at 4 monitoring stations in Minnesota; your own window depends on your nearest station's readings.
Average Soil Temperature by Month in Minnesota
Historical 2-inch soil temperature normals for Minnesota: the median across 4 in-state stations with multi-year records. Any given year runs ahead of or behind these values; the live average at the top of this page shows where this year stands.
| Month | Average 2-inch soil temperature |
|---|---|
| January | 31°F |
| February | 30°F |
| March | 32°F |
| April | 38°F |
| May | 52°F |
| June | 64°F |
| July | 68°F |
| August | 67°F |
| September | 61°F |
| October | 51°F |
| November | 39°F |
| December | 32°F |
Shaded spring cells fall in the 50°F to 55°F pre-emergent window at 2-inch depth. The highlighted row is the current month.
Grass Seed Germination in Minnesota
Grass seed germination
Grass seed germination temperatures across Minnesota. Soil warmth varies by location, so check a city page for the live reading and what germinates there now.
| Grass species | Seeding soil temp (2 in) | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky bluegrass | 60–70°F | 14-30 |
| Tall fescue | 60–70°F | 7-12 |
| Perennial ryegrass | 60–70°F | 5-10 |
| Fine fescue | 60–70°F | 7-14 |
| Bermudagrass | 75–90°F | 10-30 |
Monitoring Stations in Minnesota (4)
For root-zone timing (fertilizer, aeration, weed control), see the 4-inch soil temperature for Minnesota. For accumulated-heat timing, see growing degree days for Minnesota. For how wet the ground is versus normal, see soil moisture for Minnesota. See the Minnesota soil temperature map for the full station view.
Interpolated from the latest 4-inch readings and refreshed daily.
| Station | 2" Temp | Last Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Crescent Lake #1 (Sherburne) | 62°F | 2026-09-30 |
| Glacial Ridge (Polk) | 59°F | 2026-09-30 |
| Goodridge 12 NNW | 56°F | 2026-09-30 |
| Sandstone 6 W | 61°F | 2026-09-30 |
Soil Temperature by Region in Minnesota
Current 2-inch readings grouped along Minnesota's north-to-south axis. Regional spread matters for timing: the warm end of the state can open an application window a week or more before the cool end.
| Region | Avg 2" Temp | Range | Stations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Minnesota (Polk County) | 57°F | 56–59°F | 2 |
| Central Minnesota (Sherburne County) | 61°F | 61–62°F | 2 |
Cities in Minnesota (29)
| City | ZIP | Current Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Bemidji | 56601 | 59°F |
| Burnsville | 55306 | 62°F |
| Detroit Lakes | 56501 | 59°F |
| Duluth | 55801 | 61°F |
| Eden Prairie | 55344 | 62°F |
| Elko New Market | 55020 | 62°F |
| Fergus Falls | 56537 | 58°F* |
| Grand Rapids | 55730 | 61°F |
| Hibbing | 55746 | 61°F |
| Hopkins | 55305 | 62°F |
| Howard Lake | 55349 | 62°F |
| Inver Grove Heights | 55076 | 62°F |
| Loretto | 55357 | 62°F |
| Mankato | 56001 | 62°F |
| Maple Plain | 55348 | 62°F |
| Minneapolis | 55401 | 62°F |
| Monticello | 55362 | 62°F |
| Moorhead | 56560 | 59°F |
| Norwood | 55383 | 62°F |
| Osseo | 55311 | 62°F |
| Rochester | 55901 | 60°F* |
| Rockford | 55373 | 62°F |
| Saint Cloud | 56301 | 62°F |
| Saint Paul | 55101 | 62°F |
| Stacy | 55078 | 62°F |
| Stillwater | 55082 | 62°F |
| Virginia | 55777 | 54°F* |
| Waite Park | 56387 | 62°F |
| Young America | 55394 | 62°F |
Modeled estimate where no monitoring station is within 99 miles; all other readings are measured at USDA and NOAA stations.
Lawn Care Timing Guides for Minnesota
- When to Overseed Your Lawn in Fall: The 60-70°F Soil Window
Fall is the best time to overseed a thin lawn.
- Fall Broadleaf Weed Control: The Best Kill Window of the Year
Fall is when broadleaf herbicide works hardest.
- When to Apply Winterizer: Late-Fall Nitrogen Timing by Soil Temperature
Apply winterizer when your 2-inch soil temperature falls through 50°F, typically late October to mid-November for cool-season lawns.
- Grass Seed Germination Soil Temperature: What Each Species Needs
Check whether your soil is warm enough for the seed you bought: cool-season grass seeds into 50-65°F soil (tall fescue prefers 60°F and up), warm-season into 75-85°F.
Soil Temperature FAQ for Minnesota
What is the current soil temperature in Minnesota?
The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Minnesota is 59°F. Readings range from 56°F to 62°F depending on location and elevation, from 4 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Soil across Minnesota is right at the seasonal normal of 59°F for early October, based on 4 of 4 stations with historical records.
When should I apply pre-emergent in Minnesota?
Apply pre-emergent herbicide when soil at 2 inches reaches 55°F for several consecutive days. Timing varies across Minnesota, so check your city's page for station-specific readings and the pre-emergent timing recommendation.
When can I plant grass seed in Minnesota?
Minnesota spans USDA hardiness zones 3b to 5a, cool-season grass country. 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.