Blog

When to Plant Dill in Osage 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.

Osage County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 207 days.

At an elevation of 1,300 feet, Osage County receives approximately 38.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Dill during the growing season.

Osage County, MO (Zone 6a) Long season
207 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
207 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

Osage County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 2 – Jul 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jul 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jul 25

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 396 gal / 100 sq ft
Dill needs ~875 GDD — county provides 3,622 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Osage County, MO

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 13
Direct Sow March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 13
Fall Sowing August 21 Aug 21 โ€“ Sep 4
Harvest May 11 May 11 โ€“ Jul 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

207 days

Growing Tips for Osage 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 Osage County, MO?

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

What planting zone is Osage County, MO?

Osage County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Osage County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Osage County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.