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When to Plant Dill in Tunica County, MS

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.

Tunica County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 230 days.

At an elevation of 398 feet, Tunica County receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, so Dill may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Dill, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Tunica County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
230 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
230 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5

Tunica County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (135 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: Apr 15 – Jun 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Apr 24 – Jun 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 17

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 178 gal / 100 sq ft
Dill needs ~1,138 GDD — county provides 5,232 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Tunica County, MS

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Feb 27
Transplant Outdoors March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Mar 27
Direct Sow March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 27
Fall Sowing August 27 Aug 27 โ€“ Sep 10
Harvest April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ Jun 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
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 8a

Growing Season

230 days

Growing Tips for Tunica 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Dill in Tunica County, MS?

Tunica County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tunica County, MS?

Tunica County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Tunica County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Tunica County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.