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When to Plant Dill in Delaware County, IN

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.

Delaware County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.

At an elevation of 739 feet, Delaware County receives approximately 31.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Dill to ensure they mature before fall.

Delaware County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
173 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
173 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Delaware County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jul 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Aug 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 377 gal / 100 sq ft
Dill needs ~612 GDD — county provides 2,119 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Delaware County, IN

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Transplant Outdoors April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 3
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ May 3
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Aug 21
Harvest May 31 May 31 โ€“ Aug 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

173 days

Growing Tips for Delaware 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 Delaware County, IN?

Delaware County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Delaware County, IN?

Delaware County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Delaware County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Delaware County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.