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When to Plant Dill in Coffee County, GA

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.

Coffee County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 8 and the first fall frost is November 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 259 days.

At an elevation of 110 feet, Coffee County receives approximately 59.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, 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.

Coffee County, GA (Zone 8b) Long season
259 days
Last Spring Frost March 8
259 growing days
First Fall Frost November 22

Coffee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (162 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 24 Transplant: Feb 21 🍅 Harvest: Apr 4 – Jun 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (161 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Mar 1 🍅 Harvest: Apr 12 – Jun 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (165 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – Jul 2

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 Coffee County

How your county's soil matches Dill's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6โ€“6.3) is within Dill's preferred range (5.5โ€“7.0).

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Coffee County is excellent for Dill โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Dill.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Dill.

How to Plant Dill

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Dill

7
successive plantings in your 259-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 23 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 13.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 โ€” 5.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 4.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 5.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 4.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Dec โ€” 4.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Coffee County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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 needs ~1,062 GDD — county provides 5,503 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Coffee County, GA

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 1 Feb 1 โ€“ Feb 15
Transplant Outdoors March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 15
Direct Sow February 22 Feb 22 โ€“ Mar 15
Harvest April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ Jun 14
Fall Sowing September 13 Sep 13 โ€“ Sep 27

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

259 days in Coffee County

Growing Tips for Dill in Coffee County

Direct sow Dill outdoors after March 08 in Coffee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Coffee County's clay soil (32% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Dill. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Your generous 259.0-day season in Coffee 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.

With 60" of annual rainfall in Coffee County, ensure good drainage for Dill โ€” excess moisture can promote root rot and fungal diseases.

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

  • Carrots
  • Tomatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Dill in Coffee County, GA?

Coffee County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 8. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Coffee County, GA?

Coffee County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 8 and first fall frost is November 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Coffee County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Coffee County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.