When to Plant Dill in Houston County, AL
Your May planting checklist for Houston County, Alabama
Your garden in Houston County, Alabama is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
-
Basket week: dill
Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.
A few tasks this May that'll pay off in 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.
Houston County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 258 days.
At an elevation of 230 feet, Houston County receives approximately 58.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 97°F, so Dill may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Dill, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Dill root diseases.
Houston County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Clay Loam
Soil pH
5.3-6.3
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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.
Soil Compatibility in Houston County
How your county's soil matches Dill's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.3–6.3) overlaps with Dill's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The clay loam soil in Houston County is excellent for Dill — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help Dill.
How to Plant Dill
Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Dill
Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 20 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 24.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Dill
Dill needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Dill Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 4.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 4.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 2.2" | 6.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 2.2" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 5.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 6.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 2.2" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | — | 4.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Houston County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Dill Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Dill Planting Timeline — Houston County, AL
Dill Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 6 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 27 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Direct Sow | February 13 | Feb 13 – Mar 6 |
| Harvest | April 10 | Apr 10 – Jun 12 |
| Fall Sowing | September 24 | Sep 24 – Oct 8 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | Fall Sowing |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
40–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 9a
📆 Growing Season
258 days in Houston County
Growing Tips for Dill in Houston County
Direct sow Dill outdoors after March 06 in Houston County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
With Houston County's clay soil (31% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Dill. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.
With summer highs reaching 97°F in Houston County, provide afternoon shade for Dill and water deeply in the morning.
Your generous 258.0-day season in Houston County allows multiple plantings of Dill. Sow every 20.0 days for continuous harvest.
Common pests for Dill in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Dill in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Dill in Houston County, AL?
Houston County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Houston County, AL?
Houston County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 19.
Your Houston County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Houston County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.