Soil Temperature in Virginia
The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Virginia is 80°F, based on 5 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 73°F to 88°F. Last updated July 2, 2026.
Current Planting Conditions
Summer conditions across Virginia with soil averaging 80°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 Virginia
Grass seed germination
Grass seed germination temperatures across Virginia. 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 Virginia (5)
For root-zone timing (fertilizer, aeration, weed control), see the 4-inch soil temperature for Virginia. For accumulated-heat timing, see growing degree days for Virginia. See the Virginia soil temperature map for the full station view.
| Station | 2" Temp | Last Reading |
|---|---|---|
| N Piedmont Arec (Orange) | 82°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Shenandoah (Augusta) | 73°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Reynolds Homestead (Patrick) | 78°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Cape Charles 5 ENE | 88°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Charlottesville 2 SSE | 77°F | 2026-07-02 |
Cities in Virginia (74)
| City | ZIP | Current Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Abingdon | 24210 | 77°F* |
| Alexandria | 22301 | 79°F |
| Arlington | 22201 | 79°F |
| Ashburn | 20146 | 79°F |
| Blacksburg | 24060 | 78°F |
| Blackstone | 23824 | 77°F |
| Bowling Green | 22427 | 82°F |
| Bristol | 24201 | 80°F* |
| Burke | 22009 | 79°F |
| Centreville | 20120 | 79°F |
| Chantilly | 20151 | 79°F |
| Charlottesville | 22901 | 77°F |
| Chesapeake | 23320 | 88°F |
| Chester | 23831 | 82°F |
| Chesterfield | 23832 | 77°F |
| Christiansburg | 24068 | 78°F |
| Danville | 24540 | 78°F |
| Dulles | 20101 | 79°F |
| Dumfries | 22025 | 79°F |
| Fairfax | 22030 | 79°F |
| Falls Church | 22040 | 79°F |
| Farmville | 23901 | 77°F |
| Fredericksburg | 22401 | 82°F |
| Gainesville | 20155 | 79°F |
| Glen Allen | 23058 | 82°F |
| Hamilton | 20158 | 79°F |
| Hampton | 23630 | 88°F |
| Harrisonburg | 22801 | 77°F |
| Haymarket | 20168 | 79°F |
| Henrico | 23075 | 82°F |
| Herndon | 20170 | 79°F |
| Jarratt | 23867 | 88°F* |
| Leesburg | 20175 | 79°F |
| Lorton | 22079 | 79°F |
| Lynchburg | 24501 | 73°F |
| Manassas | 20108 | 79°F |
| Marshall | 20115 | 82°F |
| Martinsville | 24112 | 78°F |
| Mc Lean | 22101 | 79°F |
| Mechanicsville | 23111 | 82°F |
| Merrifield | 22081 | 79°F |
| Middleburg | 20117 | 79°F |
| Middletown | 22645 | 82°F |
| Midlothian | 23112 | 77°F |
| Newport News | 23601 | 88°F |
| Nokesville | 20181 | 79°F |
| Norfolk | 23501 | 88°F |
| Oak Hall | 23396 | 88°F |
| Petersburg | 23803 | 87°F* |
| Portsmouth | 23701 | 88°F |
| Purcellville | 20132 | 79°F |
| Quantico | 22134 | 79°F |
| Radford | 24141 | 78°F |
| Reston | 20190 | 79°F |
| Richmond | 23218 | 82°F |
| Roanoke | 24001 | 78°F |
| Round Hill | 20141 | 79°F |
| Smithfield | 23430 | 88°F |
| Spotsylvania | 22551 | 82°F |
| Springfield | 22150 | 79°F |
| Stafford | 22554 | 82°F |
| Staunton | 24401 | 73°F |
| Sterling | 20163 | 79°F |
| Strasburg | 22641 | 75°F |
| Suffolk | 23432 | 88°F |
| Upperville | 20184 | 82°F |
| Vienna | 22180 | 79°F |
| Virginia Beach | 23450 | 88°F |
| Warrenton | 20186 | 82°F |
| Waverly | 23890 | 88°F |
| Williamsburg | 23185 | 88°F |
| Winchester | 22601 | 82°F |
| Woodbridge | 22191 | 79°F |
| Yorktown | 23690 | 88°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 Virginia
- 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.
- When to Apply Broadleaf Weed Killer on Warm-Season Lawns in Spring
Spring broadleaf timing for St.
Soil Temperature FAQ for Virginia
What is the current soil temperature in Virginia?
The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Virginia is 80°F, based on 5 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 73°F to 88°F depending on location and elevation.
When should I apply pre-emergent in Virginia?
Apply pre-emergent herbicide when soil at 2 inches reaches 55°F for several consecutive days. Timing varies across Virginia, so check your city's page for station-specific readings and the pre-emergent timing recommendation.
When can I plant grass seed in Virginia?
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.