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When to Plant Dill in Cochran 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.

Cochran County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 4,553 feet, Cochran County receives approximately 45.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 98ยฐF, so Dill may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Dill will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Cochran County, TX (Zone 7a) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Cochran County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.5-8.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jul 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jul 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Aug 5

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 61 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Dill needs ~1,175 GDD — county provides 4,606 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Cochran County, TX

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 21
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 21
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest May 19 May 19 โ€“ Jul 21

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 7a

Growing Season

196 days

Growing Tips for Cochran 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 Cochran County, TX?

Cochran County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cochran County, TX?

Cochran County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cochran County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Cochran County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.