When to Plant Dill in USDA Zone 3a
Your April gardening checklist
Your Zone 3a garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for April and why each task matters now.
Coming up in May — start thinking about
- Transplants going out: dill
- Direct-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 3a, the average last spring frost is around May 15 and the first fall frost is around September 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.
Dill Planting Timeline — Zone 3a
Where Is USDA Zone 3a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 3a. Click any state to see the Dill planting schedule for that location.
Dill Planting Calendar — Zone 3a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 3 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 8 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Direct Sow | May 8 | May 8 – May 29 |
| Harvest | June 19 | Jun 19 – Aug 21 |
| Fall Sowing | June 23 | Jun 23 – Jul 7 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 3a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 3a 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
123 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 (~123 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
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- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
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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 3a?
In Zone 3a, plan your Dill planting around the average last frost date of May 15. Start seeds indoors around April 3. Direct sow outdoors around May 8. Transplant seedlings around May 8.
Can Dill grow in Zone 3a?
Yes, Dill can grow well in Zone 3a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 3a has a growing season of approximately 123 days, which is sufficient for Dill (40-60 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Dill in Zone 3a?
In Zone 3a, expect to harvest Dill from June 19 – August 21. Dill takes 40-60 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 3a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 3a is around May 15, and the first fall frost is around September 15. This gives a growing season of approximately 123 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.