Soil Temperature in Wisconsin
The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Wisconsin is 69°F, based on 3 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 63°F to 73°F. Last updated July 2, 2026.
Current Planting Conditions
Summer conditions across Wisconsin with soil averaging 69°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 Wisconsin
Grass seed germination
Grass seed germination temperatures across Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin (3)
For root-zone timing (fertilizer, aeration, weed control), see the 4-inch soil temperature for Wisconsin. For accumulated-heat timing, see growing degree days for Wisconsin. See the Wisconsin soil temperature map for the full station view.
| Station | 2" Temp | Last Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Wabeno #1 (Forest) | 63°F | 2026-07-02 |
| UW Platteville (Lafayette) | 72°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Necedah 5 WNW | 73°F | 2026-07-02 |
Cities in Wisconsin (33)
| City | ZIP | Current Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Appleton | 54911 | 74°F* |
| Beloit | 53511 | 74°F |
| Brookfield | 53005 | 78°F* |
| Chippewa Falls | 54729 | 74°F* |
| Dodgeville | 53533 | 72°F |
| Eau Claire | 54701 | 74°F* |
| Fond Du Lac | 54935 | 75°F* |
| Green Bay | 54301 | 63°F |
| Iola | 54945 | 73°F |
| Janesville | 53545 | 74°F |
| Kenosha | 53140 | 74°F |
| La Crosse | 54601 | 73°F |
| Madison | 53701 | 72°F |
| Manitowoc | 54220 | 74°F* |
| Marshfield | 54404 | 73°F |
| Menomonee Falls | 53051 | 77°F* |
| Milwaukee | 53201 | 79°F* |
| Neenah | 54956 | 73°F* |
| New Berlin | 53146 | 78°F* |
| New Holstein | 53061 | 74°F* |
| Oshkosh | 54901 | 75°F* |
| Racine | 53401 | 77°F* |
| Randolph | 53956 | 73°F |
| Reedsburg | 53958 | 73°F |
| Sheboygan | 53081 | 75°F* |
| Silver Lake | 53170 | 74°F |
| Stevens Point | 54481 | 73°F |
| Sun Prairie | 53590 | 72°F |
| Watertown | 53094 | 76°F* |
| Waukesha | 53186 | 76°F* |
| Wausau | 54401 | 63°F |
| West Bend | 53090 | 75°F* |
| Wisconsin Rapids | 54494 | 73°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 Wisconsin
- 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 Wisconsin
What is the current soil temperature in Wisconsin?
The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Wisconsin is 69°F, based on 3 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 63°F to 73°F depending on location and elevation.
When should I apply pre-emergent in Wisconsin?
Apply pre-emergent herbicide when soil at 2 inches reaches 55°F for several consecutive days. Timing varies across Wisconsin, so check your city's page for station-specific readings and the pre-emergent timing recommendation.
When can I plant grass seed in Wisconsin?
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.