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When to plant Dill in Cass County, IL

Dill planted in Cass County between April 1 and April 22 matures in 40–60 days — well before the October 16 first frost. A second sowing from August 7 to August 21 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Dill in Cass County, IL

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.

Cass County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.

At an elevation of 703 feet, Cass County receives approximately 31.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Dill to ensure they mature before fall.

Cass County, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
184 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
184 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Cass County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Dill Planting Timeline — Cass County, IL

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 – Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 22
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 22
Harvest May 20 May 20 – Jul 22
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 – Aug 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

40–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

184 days in Cass County

Growing Tips for Cass County

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 Cass County, IL?

Cass County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cass County, IL?

Cass County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 16.

When should I plant Dill in Cass County, IL?

In Cass County, IL, plant Dill after the last frost (around April 15) and before the first frost (around October 16). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Cass County, IL for Dill?

Cass County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Dill grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Dill grow in Cass County's climate?

Yes — Dill grows well in Cass County's temperate climate. Cass County averages a 184-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 15 and first frost around October 16.

🌱

Your Cass County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Cass County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Cass County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

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