When to Plant Dill in USDA Zone 6a
What to do in April
Your garden in Zone 6a is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this April.
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Time to transplant dill
Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.
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Direct-sow dill
Keep the top inch of soil moist until germination — a gentle morning watering for 5–7 days does the job.
Before May arrives, get these ready
- Starting indoors: dill
- First harvests: 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 6a, the average last spring frost is around April 10 and the first fall frost is around October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.
Dill Planting Timeline — Zone 6a
Where Is USDA Zone 6a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 6a. Click any state to see the Dill planting schedule for that location.
Dill Planting Calendar — Zone 6a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 3 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Direct Sow | March 27 | Mar 27 – Apr 17 |
| Harvest | May 15 | May 15 – Jul 17 |
| Fall Sowing | August 11 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 6a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 6a 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
193 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 (~193 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 6a?
In Zone 6a, plan your Dill planting around the average last frost date of April 10. Start seeds indoors around March 6. Direct sow outdoors around March 27. Transplant seedlings around April 3.
Can Dill grow in Zone 6a?
Yes, Dill can grow well in Zone 6a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 6a has a growing season of approximately 193 days, which is sufficient for Dill (40-60 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Dill in Zone 6a?
In Zone 6a, expect to harvest Dill from May 15 – July 17. Dill takes 40-60 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 6a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 6a is around April 10, and the first fall frost is around October 20. This gives a growing season of approximately 193 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.