When to Plant Dill in USDA Zone 2a
Your May gardening checklist
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Zone 2a this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
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Set out dill seedlings
Pinch off the lowest leaves on each seedling before you plant — it reduces water loss while the roots catch up.
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Sow dill where they'll grow
Thin ruthlessly once seedlings are up. Crowded roots mean smaller crops from every plant.
June prep starts now
- Fall sowing: dill
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.
In Zone 2a, the average last spring frost is around May 30 and the first fall frost is around September 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 94 days.
Dill Planting Timeline — Zone 2a
Where Is USDA Zone 2a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 2a. Click any state to see the Dill planting schedule for that location.
Dill Planting Calendar — Zone 2a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 18 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 23 | May 23 – Jun 6 |
| Direct Sow | May 23 | May 23 – Jun 13 |
| Harvest | July 4 | Jul 4 – Sep 5 |
| Fall Sowing | June 9 | Jun 9 – Jun 23 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Fall Sowing |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 2a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 2a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
40–60 days
Soil pH
5.5 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
94 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.5 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 8 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Dill in Zone
Sow every 4.6 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Dill in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~94 days). Start Dill indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
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
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
- Full seed-starting + planting schedule with timing and spacing
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Saving Dill Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Breathable fabric pots that promote healthy root growth and prevent overwatering.
Built-in reservoir keeps herbs and greens consistently watered with less effort.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Related Plants
Dill in Other Zones
Dill by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Dill in Zone 2a?
In Zone 2a, plan your Dill planting around the average last frost date of May 30. Start seeds indoors around April 18. Direct sow outdoors around May 23. Transplant seedlings around May 23.
Can Dill grow in Zone 2a?
Yes, Dill can grow well in Zone 2a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 2a has a growing season of approximately 94 days, which is sufficient for Dill (40-60 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Dill in Zone 2a?
In Zone 2a, expect to harvest Dill from July 4 – September 5. Dill takes 40-60 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 2a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 2a is around May 30, and the first fall frost is around September 1. This gives a growing season of approximately 94 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Dill?
Good companion plants for Dill include Cabbage, Cucumber, Lettuce, Onion. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.