When to Plant Dill in Hand County, SD
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.
Hand County, South Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 145 days.
At an elevation of 795 feet, Hand County receives approximately 34.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Dill to ensure they mature before fall.
Hand County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.8-7.3
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Dill Planting Timeline — Hand County, SD
Dill Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 29 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 3 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Direct Sow | May 3 | May 3 – May 24 |
| Fall Sowing | July 10 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Harvest | June 14 | Jun 14 – Aug 16 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
40–60 days
Soil pH
5.5 – 7
USDA Zone
Zone 4a
Growing Season
145 days
Growing Tips for Hand 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
Level Up Your Garden
Dill in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Dill in Hand County, SD?
Hand County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Hand County, SD?
Hand County, South Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 2.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Hand County gardeners in Zone 4a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.
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