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When to Plant Dill in Newton 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.

Newton County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 758 feet, Newton County receives approximately 38.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Dill during the growing season.

Newton County, MO (Zone 6a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Newton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (102 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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 427 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Dill needs ~800 GDD — county provides 3,200 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Newton County, MO

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 16
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
Harvest May 14 May 14 โ€“ Jul 16

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

200 days

Growing Tips for Newton 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 Newton County, MO?

Newton County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Newton County, MO?

Newton County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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