In this study, an experiment was conducted in a maize field to explore spatial and temporal variability of soil thermal properties in row scale, and to determine the relationship between soil thermal properties with soil temperature and water content in maize field. On the 39^th day after maize planted, soil thermal properties and water content were measured in situ at four positions (under the maize plant (U), interrow with one-fourth row spacing (1/4R), in the middle of interrow (1/2R), in the row between two maize plants (1/2IR)) and two depths (2 cm and 4.5 cm) using multi-needle heat-pulse probes and time domain reflectometry (TDR) technique. The results showed that soil thermal conductivity, heat capacity and thermal diffusivity ranged from 0.66 to 2.22 W/(m·K), 1.46 to 4.49 MJ/(m³·K) and 4.07×10^–7 to 6.88×10^–7 m²/s, respectively. After rainfall, soil thermal conductivity and heat capacity were increased rapidly, then decreased gradually. The fluctuation of soil thermal characteristics was large at the depth of 2 cm soil depth, especially at the position under the maize plant. At 2 cm soil depth, the values of soil thermal conductivity and heat capacity were the largest at the position under the maize plant, while soil thermal diffusivity at the position in the middle of interrow was the largest. At 4.5 cm soil depth, the change trend of soil thermal characteristics was similar at each position. Soil thermal conductivity and heat capacity at 1/2R were the largest, and soil thermal diffusivity was the largest at 1/2IR. Combined soil thermal characteristics data of two depths, thermal conductivity and heat capacity were more representative at the location of 1/4R. In this study, soil water content was the key factor affecting soil thermal conductivity and heat capacity, soil thermal conductivity and heat capacity increased with the increase of soil water content, while soil thermal diffusivity increased at first (when soil water content lower than 0.15 cm³/cm³) then decreased. In the range of soil background temperature measured during the experiment period, no obvious relationship was found between soil thermal conductivity and soil background temperature, soil volumetric heat capacity decreased slightly with the increase of temperature at 4.5 cm soil depth, while soil thermal diffusivity increased with the increase of soil temperature. Therefore, the temporal and spatial variability of soil thermal properties should be considered when monitored at row scale in field. The results can provide an important theoretical basis for farmland hydrothermal management.