Blog

When to Plant Dill in Franklin 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.

Franklin County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 189 days.

At an elevation of 1,117 feet, Franklin County receives approximately 30.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Dill during the growing season.

Franklin County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
189 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
189 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Franklin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jul 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jul 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 632 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Dill needs ~912 GDD — county provides 3,449 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Franklin County, IN

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 21
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 21
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Aug 25
Harvest May 19 May 19 โ€“ Jul 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
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 6a

Growing Season

189 days

Growing Tips for Franklin 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 Franklin County, IN?

Franklin County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Franklin County, IN?

Franklin County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Franklin County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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