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When to Plant Dill in Waseca 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.

Waseca County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.

At an elevation of 1,346 feet, Waseca County receives approximately 34.3 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.

Waseca County, MN (Zone 4b) Moderate season
159 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
159 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Waseca County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 160 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 1,709 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Waseca County, MN

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7
Direct Sow April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 14
Fall Sowing July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Jul 28
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Aug 6

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 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 4b

Growing Season

159 days

Growing Tips for Waseca 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 Waseca County, MN?

Waseca County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Waseca County, MN?

Waseca County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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