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When to Plant Dill in Marengo 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.

Marengo County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 245 days.

At an elevation of 453 feet, Marengo County receives approximately 59.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Dill during the growing season. 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.

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

Marengo County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (148 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Feb 27 🍅 Harvest: Apr 10 – Jun 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (147 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Apr 17 – Jun 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (145 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 5 – Jul 7

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Dill needs ~875 GDD — county provides 4,287 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Marengo County, AL

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 6 Feb 6 โ€“ Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Direct Sow February 27 Feb 27 โ€“ Mar 20
Fall Sowing September 4 Sep 4 โ€“ Sep 18
Harvest April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ Jun 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
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

245 days

Growing Tips for Marengo 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 Marengo County, AL?

Marengo County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 13. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marengo County, AL?

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

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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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 Marengo County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.