When to Plant Dill in Marion County, AR
May in the garden — Marion County, Arkansas
Here's what deserves your attention in Marion County, Arkansas this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7b and timed around your local frost dates.
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Fire up the seed-starting tray: dill
Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.
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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.
June prep starts now
- 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.
Marion County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.
At an elevation of 546 feet, Marion County receives approximately 47.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Dill during the growing season.
Marion County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.5-6.5
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 Marion County
How your county's soil matches Dill's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.5–6.5) is within Dill's preferred range (5.5–7.0).
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Marion County is excellent for Dill — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Dill.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). Annual compost additions will help Dill.
How to Plant Dill
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Dill
Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 28 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 18.
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 | — | 4.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.2" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 3.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 3.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 3.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 4.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Marion 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 — Marion County, AR
Dill Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 1 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 29 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Direct Sow | March 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 12 |
| Harvest | May 10 | May 10 – Jul 12 |
| Fall Sowing | August 18 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| 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: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
205 days in Marion County
Growing Tips for Dill in Marion County
Direct sow Dill outdoors after April 05 in Marion County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 205.0-day season in Marion 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 Marion County, AR?
Marion County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Marion County, AR?
Marion County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is October 27.
Your Marion County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Marion County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.