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When to Plant Dill in Geneva County, AL

Dill is a feathery annual herb with aromatic leaves and seeds. Its fine foliage and umbrella-shaped flower heads attract beneficial insects to the garden.

Geneva County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 15 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 243 days.

At an elevation of 224 feet, Geneva County receives approximately 52.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, so Dill may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Dill, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Dill root diseases.

Geneva County, AL (Zone 8a) Long season
243 days
Last Spring Frost March 15
243 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Geneva County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (146 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Feb 27 🍅 Harvest: Apr 10 – Jun 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (145 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: Apr 19 – Jun 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jul 18

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 197 gal / 100 sq ft
Dill needs ~1,138 GDD — county provides 5,528 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Geneva County, AL

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 8 Feb 8 โ€“ Feb 22
Transplant Outdoors March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 22
Direct Sow March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 22
Fall Sowing September 4 Sep 4 โ€“ Sep 18
Harvest April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ Jun 21

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

243 days

Growing Tips for Geneva County

Direct sow in spring as dill has a taproot and dislikes transplanting. Succession sow for continuous leaf harvest. Allow some plants to flower for seeds and to attract beneficial insects.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Carrots
  • Tomatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Dill in Geneva County, AL?

Geneva County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 15. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Geneva County, AL?

Geneva County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 15 and first fall frost is November 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Geneva County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Geneva County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.