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When to Plant Dill in Keweenaw 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.

Keweenaw County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.

At an elevation of 1,035 feet, Keweenaw County receives approximately 40.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Dill to ensure they mature before fall.

Keweenaw County, MI (Zone 4a) Short season
135 days
Last Spring Frost May 19
135 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Keweenaw County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 23 Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 10

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Dill needs ~538 GDD — county provides 1,451 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Keweenaw County, MI

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 21
Transplant Outdoors May 12 May 12 โ€“ May 26
Direct Sow May 12 May 12 โ€“ Jun 2
Fall Sowing July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Jul 23
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 โ€“ Aug 25

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
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Direct Sow Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August 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 4a

Growing Season

135 days

Growing Tips for Keweenaw 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 Keweenaw County, MI?

Keweenaw County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 19. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Keweenaw County, MI?

Keweenaw County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 19 and first fall frost is October 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Keweenaw County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Keweenaw County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.