Dill planting dates by zone

Which dill

University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension divides dill cultivars into two broad classes, those grown mainly for seed and “slow-bolt” types grown mainly for leaves, plus short varieties for containers. Penn State Extension names ‘Long Island Mammoth’ the most widely grown, ‘Mammoth’ as quick to bolt, and ‘Fernleaf’ and ‘Tetra’ as slow to bolt. University of Illinois Extension calls ‘Green Sleeves’ resistant to bolting and ‘Ella’ and ‘Monia’ good for containers.

For Florida, UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions says ‘Long Island Mammoth’ does best.

Sowing

All the sources sow dill where it will grow, because its taproot makes it hard to transplant. They differ on when. Illinois sows one to two weeks before the last frost, and Wisconsin and NC State’s Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox a week or two before the last hard frost; University of Minnesota Extension waits until the danger of spring frost has passed. The table above follows this site’s crop table, one week before the median last spring freeze.

Wisconsin sows 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep, and Penn State barely covers the seed because it needs light to germinate, which takes 10 to 14 days. Wisconsin thins seedlings to 3 to 6 inches at three to four weeks old; Minnesota to 10 to 12 inches; Utah State University Extension to 9 inches.

For a steady supply, the sources sow again and again, on different intervals: Penn State every 10 days while the weather is cool, Wisconsin every 10 to 14 days, Illinois every two weeks, Minnesota every two to three weeks through midsummer, and Utah State every 4 to 6 weeks.

Fall sowing, and dill in the South

Wisconsin makes late-summer sowings for a fall harvest, because dill tolerates light frost, and sows in late fall for seedlings the following spring. Penn State says hot weather and dry spells make dill bolt. The table above counts the last fall sowing back from your zone’s median first fall freeze.

Clemson’s Home & Garden Information Center calls dill one of the easiest herbs to grow from seed sown in fall or early spring, a cool-weather annual that goes to seed at the onset of hot weather. UF/IFAS sows dill in Florida from September through December, or in spring. Mississippi State University Extension says dill prefers cool weather and grows it in spring and fall; its planting tables sow between January 1 and April 15 in spring and September 1 and November 15 in fall, depending on the part of the state. UGA’s Herbs in Southern Gardens sows every month or so through the summer.

Care

Minnesota gives dill six to eight hours of direct sun, a spot sheltered from high winds because the tall, hollow stalks blow over, and keeps the soil free of weeds and fairly moist. Wisconsin says dill competes poorly with other plants, so keep it weeded, and stakes tall types. Utah State says dill does not need rich soil or much water, one or two irrigations a week once established, and that overwatering invites powdery mildew.

Penn State cuts the foliage back often to delay flowering and deadheads to prevent heavy self-sowing. NC State says consistent watering helps keep dill from bolting, while too much water or too much shade makes plants lanky.

Harvesting for the kitchen

Wisconsin cuts leaves any time after the plant is a few inches high until the seed stalk begins to form, and says cutting the foliage back keeps delaying flowering. Minnesota harvests green foliage until the umbrella-like flower clusters open. Utah State says the flavor is best when the flowers begin to open, and adds dill to food that is already cooked, because high heat drives off its flavor.

For seed, Wisconsin cuts the flower heads when the seeds are fully developed but before they turn brown, because ripe seeds shatter; Penn State harvests just as the seeds turn brown.

Wisconsin says the leaves wilt quickly once picked but keep for about a week in a plastic bag in the refrigerator, and Penn State says dill weed is best used fresh. Illinois uses it with fish, lamb, egg dishes, soups and potato salad.

Common problems

Wisconsin says dill has few pests besides the occasional aphid or powdery mildew, and is not attractive to deer. NC State adds that blight and aster yellows can cause significant damage, and that dill planted too close to carrots can reduce their yield. Clemson says not to plant dill near fennel, because the two can cross and produce strangely flavored seedlings.

Dill is a larval host of the black swallowtail butterfly. Wisconsin says the caterpillars can eat a tremendous amount of foliage and can be picked off if there are too many, though most people let them grow into butterflies.

NC State’s plant toolbox tags dill as non-toxic for cats, dogs and horses.

Common mistakes

• Transplanting it. Illinois, Minnesota and Penn State say dill does not transplant well; sow it where it will grow.
• Sowing into summer heat. Penn State says hot weather and dry spells make it bolt; Clemson grows it in fall and early spring.
• Sowing it all at once. Every source here sows in succession, from every 10 days to every 6 weeks.
• Planting it beside fennel. Clemson says the two can cross and produce strangely flavored seedlings.
• Overwatering. Utah State says it invites powdery mildew.

We found no Texas source with dill sowing dates: Texas A&M’s Growing Herbs in Texas gives spacing and sun only.

Questions

When should I plant dill?

Illinois sows one to two weeks before the last frost, and Wisconsin and NC State a week or two before the last hard frost; Minnesota waits until the danger of frost has passed. The table on this page gives your zone’s date, one week before its median last spring freeze.

Why does my dill go to seed so fast?

Heat and dry weather. Penn State says hot weather and dry spells cause dill to bolt, and Clemson says it goes to seed at the onset of hot weather. NC State says consistent watering helps, and Penn State cuts the foliage back often to delay flowering.

Can I plant dill in the fall?

Yes. Wisconsin sows in late summer for a fall harvest, because dill tolerates light frost. UF/IFAS sows in Florida from September through December, and Clemson sows in fall or early spring.

How do I harvest dill leaves?

Wisconsin cuts leaves any time after the plant is a few inches high until the seed stalk forms, and Minnesota until the flower clusters open. Penn State says dill weed is best used fresh.

Should I kill the caterpillars on my dill?

They are usually black swallowtail caterpillars. Wisconsin says they can eat a tremendous amount of foliage and can be picked off if there are too many, but most people let them grow into butterflies.

Sources

Freeze dates on this page are NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals, for every station the ZIP codes in each zone cite. Zones are the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, 2023. The planting rules are named beside the table. Growing advice is quoted from the extension publications below, each written for its own area.

• University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension, Dill, Anethum graveolens , by Susan Mahr (Revised September 2026). Written for: Wisconsin (USDA zones 4a–6a).
• University of Illinois Extension, Herb Gardening: Dill . Written for: Illinois (USDA zones 5a–7a).
• Penn State Extension, Herb Garden Plants: Dill , by Silloo Kapadia (Updated April 22, 2026). Written for: Pennsylvania (USDA zones 5b–8a).
• University of Minnesota Extension, Growing dill in home gardens , by Jill MacKenzie and Shirley Mah Kooyman (Reviewed 2026). Written for: Minnesota (USDA zones 3a–5a).
• Utah State University Extension, How to Grow Dill in Your Garden , by Adam Oakley and Dan Drost (Published March 2020). Written for: Utah (USDA zones 4a, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b).
• NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, Anethum graveolens (dill) . Written for: North Carolina (USDA zones 6b–9a).
• UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions, Dill (Accessed October 2026). Written for: Florida (USDA zones 8b–11b).
• Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center, Herbs (HGIC 1311) , by Millie Davenport (Updated November 25, 2019). Written for: South Carolina (USDA zones 8a–9b).
• UGA Cooperative Extension, Herbs in Southern Gardens (B1170) , by Sheri Dorn; original authors Wayne J. McLaurin and Sylvia R. McLaurin (Published with minor revisions September 11, 2025). Written for: Georgia and the Deep South (USDA zones 7b–9a).
• Mississippi State University Extension, Growing Herbs . Written for: Mississippi (USDA zones 7b–9a).
• Mississippi State University Extension, Mississippi Vegetable Gardener’s Guide (P3616) , by Revised by Shaun Broderick, Jeff Wilson and others (POD-06-25). Written for: Mississippi (USDA zones 7b–9a).
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Growing Herbs in Texas (E-561) , by Joseph G. Masabni (April 2009). Written for: Texas (USDA zones 6b–10b).

How we write our guides

Published October 25, 2026