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When to Plant Dill in Montgomery 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.

Montgomery County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 18 and the first fall frost is December 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 286 days.

At an elevation of 180 feet, Montgomery County receives approximately 62.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Dill root diseases.

Montgomery County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
286 days
Last Spring Frost February 18
286 growing days
First Fall Frost December 1

Montgomery County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (189 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 6 Transplant: Feb 3 🍅 Harvest: Mar 17 – May 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (188 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 14 Transplant: Feb 11 🍅 Harvest: Mar 25 – May 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (185 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Mar 2 🍅 Harvest: Apr 13 – Jun 15

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 233 gal / 100 sq ft
Dill needs ~1,100 GDD — county provides 6,314 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Montgomery County, TX

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 14 Jan 14 โ€“ Jan 28
Transplant Outdoors February 11 Feb 11 โ€“ Feb 25
Direct Sow February 4 Feb 4 โ€“ Feb 25
Fall Sowing September 22 Sep 22 โ€“ Oct 6
Harvest March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ May 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Harvest
April Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
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

286 days

Growing Tips for Montgomery 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 Montgomery County, TX?

Montgomery County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 18. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Montgomery County, TX?

Montgomery County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 18 and first fall frost is December 1.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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