Soil Temperature in South Carolina
The current average 2-inch soil temperature across South Carolina is 84°F, based on 4 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 82°F to 86°F. Last updated July 2, 2026.
Current Planting Conditions
Summer conditions across South Carolina with soil averaging 84°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 South Carolina
Grass seed germination
Grass seed germination temperatures across South Carolina. 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 South Carolina (4)
For root-zone timing (fertilizer, aeration, weed control), see the 4-inch soil temperature for South Carolina. For accumulated-heat timing, see growing degree days for South Carolina. See the South Carolina soil temperature map for the full station view.
| Station | 2" Temp | Last Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Pee Dee (Darlington) | 84°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Youmans Farm (Hampton) | 82°F | 2026-07-02 |
| McClellanville 7 NE | 86°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Blackville 3 W | 82°F | 2026-07-02 |
Cities in South Carolina (40)
| City | ZIP | Current Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Aiken | 29801 | 82°F |
| Anderson | 29621 | 81°F |
| Beaufort | 29901 | 82°F |
| Boiling Springs | 29316 | 81°F |
| Camden | 29020 | 84°F |
| Charleston | 29401 | 86°F |
| Clemson | 29631 | 81°F |
| Columbia | 29201 | 82°F |
| Conway | 29526 | 84°F |
| Darlington | 29532 | 84°F |
| Duncan | 29334 | 81°F |
| Easley | 29640 | 81°F |
| Florence | 29501 | 84°F |
| Fort Mill | 29707 | 86°F* |
| Gaffney | 29340 | 81°F |
| Georgetown | 29440 | 86°F |
| Greenville | 29601 | 81°F |
| Greenwood | 29646 | 82°F |
| Greer | 29650 | 81°F |
| Hartsville | 29550 | 84°F |
| Hilton Head Island | 29925 | 82°F |
| Hodges | 29653 | 81°F |
| Johns Island | 29455 | 86°F |
| Jonesville | 29353 | 81°F |
| Lancaster | 29720 | 84°F |
| Lexington | 29071 | 82°F |
| Mc Cormick | 29835 | 86°F |
| Mount Pleasant | 29464 | 86°F |
| Myrtle Beach | 29572 | 86°F |
| North Augusta | 29841 | 82°F |
| North Charleston | 29405 | 86°F |
| North Myrtle Beach | 29582 | 86°F |
| Orangeburg | 29115 | 82°F |
| Rock Hill | 29730 | 85°F* |
| Seneca | 29672 | 81°F |
| Simpsonville | 29680 | 81°F |
| Spartanburg | 29301 | 81°F |
| Summerville | 29483 | 86°F |
| Sumter | 29150 | 84°F |
| West Columbia | 29169 | 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 South Carolina
- When to Apply Broadleaf Weed Killer on Warm-Season Lawns in Spring
Spring broadleaf timing for St.
- How to Identify and Kill Nutsedge in Your Lawn
Nutsedge is a sedge, not a grass, which is why standard weed control fails.
- How to Apply Liquid Pre-Emergent Herbicide
Learn how to mix, calibrate, and spray liquid pre-emergent herbicide.
- 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 South Carolina
What is the current soil temperature in South Carolina?
The current average 2-inch soil temperature across South Carolina is 84°F, based on 4 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 82°F to 86°F depending on location and elevation.
When should I apply pre-emergent in South Carolina?
Apply pre-emergent herbicide when soil at 2 inches reaches 55°F for several consecutive days. Timing varies across South Carolina, so check your city's page for station-specific readings and the pre-emergent timing recommendation.
When can I plant grass seed in South Carolina?
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.