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When to Plant Dill in Monroe 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.

Monroe County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 245 days.

At an elevation of 177 feet, Monroe County receives approximately 51.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, 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.

Monroe County, AL (Zone 8a) Long season
245 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
245 growing days
First Fall Frost November 14

Monroe County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.3

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 (147 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: Apr 18 – Jun 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (147 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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 255 gal / 100 sq ft
Dill needs ~1,100 GDD — county provides 5,390 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Monroe County, AL

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 7 Feb 7 โ€“ Feb 21
Transplant Outdoors March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 21
Direct Sow February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 21
Fall Sowing September 5 Sep 5 โ€“ Sep 19
Harvest April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ Jun 20

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 Monroe 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Dill in Monroe County, AL?

Monroe County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Monroe County, AL?

Monroe County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 14.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Monroe 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 Monroe County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.