Blog

When to Plant Dill in Lincoln 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.

Lincoln County, South Dakota is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 840 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 30.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Dill during the growing season.

Lincoln County, SD (Zone 5a) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Lincoln County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 10 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 21

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 291 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Dill needs ~725 GDD — county provides 2,276 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Lincoln County, SD

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 10
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 8
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 8
Fall Sowing July 27 Jul 27 โ€“ Aug 10
Harvest June 5 Jun 5 โ€“ Aug 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
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 5a

Growing Season

157 days

Growing Tips for Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, SD?

Lincoln County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lincoln County, SD?

Lincoln County, South Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lincoln County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Lincoln County, SD. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.