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When to Plant Dill in Hunterdon County, NJ

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.

Hunterdon County, New Jersey is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 534 feet, Hunterdon County receives approximately 46.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Dill during the growing season.

Hunterdon County, NJ (Zone 6b) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Hunterdon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jul 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jul 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 7

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 31 gal / 100 sq ft
Dill needs ~875 GDD — county provides 3,500 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Hunterdon County, NJ

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 22
Transplant Outdoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 19
Fall Sowing August 20 Aug 20 โ€“ Sep 3
Harvest May 17 May 17 โ€“ Jul 19

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 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 6b

Growing Season

200 days

Growing Tips for Hunterdon 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 Hunterdon County, NJ?

Hunterdon County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hunterdon County, NJ?

Hunterdon County, New Jersey is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 29.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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