Blog

When to Plant Dill in Amherst County, VA

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.

Amherst County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 204 days.

At an elevation of 242 feet, Amherst County receives approximately 49.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Dill during the growing season.

Amherst County, VA (Zone 7a) Long season
204 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
204 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Amherst County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jul 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 12

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Dill needs ~912 GDD — county provides 3,723 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Amherst County, VA

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 17
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 17
Fall Sowing August 22 Aug 22 โ€“ Sep 5
Harvest May 15 May 15 โ€“ Jul 17

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

204 days

Growing Tips for Amherst 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 Amherst County, VA?

Amherst County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Amherst County, VA?

Amherst County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 31.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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