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When to Plant Dill in Richland County, SC

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.

Richland County, South Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 233 days.

At an elevation of 88 feet, Richland County receives approximately 57.8 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Dill root diseases.

Richland County, SC (Zone 8a) Long season
233 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
233 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Richland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Mar 10 🍅 Harvest: Apr 21 – Jun 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (135 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: Apr 26 – Jun 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 22

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Dill needs ~1,138 GDD — county provides 5,300 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Richland County, SC

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 โ€“ Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Mar 29
Direct Sow March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 29
Fall Sowing September 1 Sep 1 โ€“ Sep 15
Harvest April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ Jun 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

233 days

Growing Tips for Richland 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 Richland County, SC?

Richland County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Richland County, SC?

Richland County, South Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 10.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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