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When to Plant Dill in Denton 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.

Denton County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 10 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 255 days.

At an elevation of 1,848 feet, Denton County receives approximately 64.5 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.

Denton County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
255 days
Last Spring Frost March 10
255 growing days
First Fall Frost November 20

Denton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.7-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (156 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 26 Transplant: Feb 23 🍅 Harvest: Apr 6 – Jun 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (157 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Mar 3 🍅 Harvest: Apr 14 – Jun 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (142 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jul 18

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 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 4,462 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Denton County, TX

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 3 Feb 3 โ€“ Feb 17
Transplant Outdoors March 3 Mar 3 โ€“ Mar 17
Direct Sow February 24 Feb 24 โ€“ Mar 17
Fall Sowing September 11 Sep 11 โ€“ Sep 25
Harvest April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ Jun 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March 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

255 days

Growing Tips for Denton 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 Denton County, TX?

Denton County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 10. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Denton County, TX?

Denton County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 10 and first fall frost is November 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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