Kentucky soil temperature
Estimated 2–4 inch soil temperature, statewide average . Based on NOAA weather stations near representative Kentucky locations.
Data details
What this soil temperature means for your Kentucky lawn
The current Kentucky reading loads from today's R2 snapshot. Use the live value above or enter your ZIP code for a location-specific recommendation.
Kentucky soil is still cold. Grass seed will not germinate reliably below 50°F, and most lawn chemicals are on hold. The main job now is planning: spring pre-emergent goes down as soil approaches 55°F — in Kentucky, typically late march to mid-april.
Track your exact ZIP above, and see when to apply pre-emergent in Kentucky for the full spring playbook.
Kentucky soil is in the 50–65°F action band — the range where the big timing decisions happen. Crabgrass germinates as soil holds 55°F and above, so spring pre-emergent is either due or already late. It is also the germination range for cool-season grass seed and the recovery range for core aeration.
Check pre-emergent timing for Kentucky, or the state pages for overseeding and aeration to act on this window.
Kentucky soil is warm (65–80°F). Spring pre-emergent windows have passed, and it is too warm to start cool-season seed. This is peak season for warm-season growth — and for soil-driven pest timing: grub eggs hatch in warm midsummer soil.
Check grub control timing for Kentucky, and plan ahead for fall: overseeding and aeration open up as soil cools back through 72°F.
Kentucky soil is hot (above 80°F). Skip seeding and aeration — heat stress makes establishment and recovery unreliable. Warm-season lawns (Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, Zoysia Grass, Bermuda Grass) are in peak growth; cool-season lawns are in survival mode and need height and water, not projects.
Use the wait to plan fall work: overseeding and aeration in Kentucky start once soil falls back toward 72°F.
Estimated soil temperature at Kentucky locations
| ZIP code | Est. soil temp | Data through |
|---|---|---|
| 40202 | — | Loading… |
| 40502 | — | Loading… |
| 41011 | — | Loading… |
| 42101 | — | Loading… |
Values load from each ZIP's nearest NOAA station in the current R2 snapshot. Enter your own ZIP above for a reading closer to home.
How Kentucky compares to the rest of the country
Estimated 2–4 inch soil temperature by state . Tap a state for its detailed page.
About Kentucky lawns
Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zones 6a-7a, with a transition-season lawn climate. Common grass types include Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, Zoysia Grass, Bermuda Grass.
These estimates are modeled from air temperature (about ±5°F at 2–4 inch depth — methodology). For local agronomic guidance, see the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.
Common Kentucky soil temperature questions
What is the current soil temperature in Kentucky?
This page shows a statewide estimated 2–4 inch soil temperature for Kentucky, recomputed daily from NOAA weather station records, plus per-ZIP estimates for representative Kentucky locations. Enter your ZIP code for the reading nearest you.
At what soil temperature should I apply pre-emergent in Kentucky?
Apply pre-emergent when Kentucky soil temperatures approach 55°F at a 2–4 inch depth in spring — crabgrass germinates as soil holds 55°F and above. In Kentucky that typically happens late march to mid-april.
What soil temperature does grass seed need in Kentucky?
Cool-season grasses germinate best in 50–65°F soil, while warm-season grasses want 65–80°F. Common Kentucky lawns (Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, Zoysia Grass, Bermuda Grass) should be seeded when soil enters the right range for their type — check the current estimate above.
How accurate is this Kentucky soil temperature estimate?
It is modeled from air temperatures with a published lag model, not measured by in-ground sensors, and is typically within about ±5°F at 2–4 inch depth. Shade, moisture, and snow cover shift real readings; for precise numbers use a soil thermometer or University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service resources.