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When to Plant Dill in Caldwell County, TX

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.

Caldwell County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 27 and the first fall frost is December 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 277 days.

At an elevation of 3,482 feet, Caldwell County receives approximately 60.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Dill during the growing season. 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.

Caldwell County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
277 days
Last Spring Frost February 27
277 growing days
First Fall Frost December 1

Caldwell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.8-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (181 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 9 Transplant: Feb 6 🍅 Harvest: Mar 20 – May 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (179 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 23 Transplant: Feb 20 🍅 Harvest: Apr 3 – Jun 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (168 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: Apr 26 – Jun 28

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 242 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Dill needs ~875 GDD — county provides 4,865 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Caldwell County, TX

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 23 Jan 23 โ€“ Feb 6
Transplant Outdoors February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 6
Direct Sow February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Mar 6
Fall Sowing September 22 Sep 22 โ€“ Oct 6
Harvest April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Jun 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October Fall Sowing
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 8b

Growing Season

277 days

Growing Tips for Caldwell 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 Caldwell County, TX?

Caldwell County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 27. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Caldwell County, TX?

Caldwell County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 27 and first fall frost is December 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Caldwell County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Caldwell County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.