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When to Plant Dill in Iosco County, MI

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.

Iosco County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 142 days.

At an elevation of 696 feet, Iosco County receives approximately 37.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Dill during the growing season.

Iosco County, MI (Zone 5a) Short season
142 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
142 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Iosco County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 23 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Sep 3

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Dill needs ~800 GDD — county provides 2,272 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Iosco County, MI

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 21
Direct Sow April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 21
Fall Sowing July 25 Jul 25 โ€“ Aug 8
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Aug 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

142 days

Growing Tips for Iosco 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 Iosco County, MI?

Iosco County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Iosco County, MI?

Iosco County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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