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When to Plant Dill in Marshall County, MN

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.

Marshall County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 144 days.

At an elevation of 1,303 feet, Marshall County receives approximately 33.6 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.

Marshall County, MN (Zone 3a) Short season
144 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
144 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Marshall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 11 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 29

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 31 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Dill needs ~538 GDD — county provides 1,548 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Marshall County, MN

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 13
Transplant Outdoors May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 18
Direct Sow May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 25
Fall Sowing July 10 Jul 10 โ€“ Jul 24
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Aug 17

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
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June 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 3a

Growing Season

144 days

Growing Tips for Marshall 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 Marshall County, MN?

Marshall County is in Zone 3a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marshall County, MN?

Marshall County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Marshall County gardeners in Zone 3a 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 Marshall County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.