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When to Plant Dill in Shiawassee 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.

Shiawassee County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 168 days.

At an elevation of 803 feet, Shiawassee County receives approximately 30.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Dill during the growing season.

Shiawassee County, MI (Zone 5b) Moderate season
168 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
168 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Shiawassee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Aug 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Aug 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 10 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 21

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 344 gal / 100 sq ft
Dill needs ~762 GDD — county provides 2,562 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Shiawassee County, MI

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 8
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Direct Sow April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ May 6
Fall Sowing August 5 Aug 5 โ€“ Aug 19
Harvest June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Aug 5

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
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

168 days

Growing Tips for Shiawassee 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 Shiawassee County, MI?

Shiawassee County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Shiawassee County, MI?

Shiawassee County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 14.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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