When to Plant Dill in USDA Zone 7a
May to-do list for Zone 7a
Here's what deserves your attention in Zone 7a this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7a and timed around your local frost dates.
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Start dill indoors
You're about 25 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.
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Pick dill
Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.
Looking ahead to June
- 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 7a, the average last spring frost is around March 25 and the first fall frost is around November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 221 days.
Dill Planting Timeline — Zone 7a
Where Is USDA Zone 7a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 7a. Click any state to see the Dill planting schedule for that location.
Dill Planting Calendar — Zone 7a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 18 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Direct Sow | March 11 | Mar 11 – Apr 1 |
| Harvest | April 29 | Apr 29 – Jul 1 |
| Fall Sowing | August 23 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 7a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 7a 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
221 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 (~221 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 7a?
In Zone 7a, plan your Dill planting around the average last frost date of March 25. Start seeds indoors around February 18. Direct sow outdoors around March 11. Transplant seedlings around March 18.
Can Dill grow in Zone 7a?
Yes, Dill can grow well in Zone 7a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 7a has a growing season of approximately 221 days, which is sufficient for Dill (40-60 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Dill in Zone 7a?
In Zone 7a, expect to harvest Dill from April 29 – July 1. Dill takes 40-60 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 7a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 7a is around March 25, and the first fall frost is around November 1. This gives a growing season of approximately 221 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.