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When to Plant Dill in Hickory County, MO

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.

Hickory County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 195 days.

At an elevation of 950 feet, Hickory County receives approximately 30.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Dill during the growing season.

Hickory County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
195 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
195 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Hickory County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jul 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 30

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 588 gal / 100 sq ft
Dill needs ~912 GDD — county provides 3,558 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Hickory County, MO

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 17
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 17
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest May 15 May 15 โ€“ Jul 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
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 6a

Growing Season

195 days

Growing Tips for Hickory 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 Hickory County, MO?

Hickory County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hickory County, MO?

Hickory County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hickory County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Hickory County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.