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When to plant Dill in Marshall County, MN

Marshall County sits in USDA Zone 3b. Plant Dill between May 4 (after last frost on May 11) and May 25. A second sowing from July 10 to July 24 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Dill in Marshall County, MN

Dill
Marshall County, Minnesota Zone 3b August

Your August planting checklist for Marshall County, Minnesota

August is a pivotal month for Marshall County, Minnesota gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost May 11
Avg. first frost October 2
Soil temp (4") 66°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Pick dill

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

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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.

Marshall County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 144 days.

At an elevation of 1,303 feet, Marshall County receives approximately 33.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Dill to ensure they mature before fall.

Marshall County, MN (Zone 3b) Short season
144 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
144 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Marshall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Dill Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 11 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 29

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 Marshall County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8–7.3) overlaps with Dill's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Marshall County is excellent for Dill — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) — Dill will thrive.

How to Plant Dill

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

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Dill

4
successive plantings in your 144-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 03 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 10.

Dill Water Budget

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

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Marshall 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 needs ~538 GDD — county provides 1,548 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline — Marshall County, MN

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 13
Transplant Outdoors May 4 May 4 – May 18
Direct Sow May 4 May 4 – May 25
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 – Aug 17
Fall Sowing July 10 Jul 10 – Jul 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September
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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 3b

📆 Growing Season

144 days in Marshall County

Growing Tips for Dill in Marshall County

Direct sow Dill outdoors after May 11 in Marshall County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

  • Carrots
  • Tomatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Dill in Marshall County, MN?

Marshall County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marshall County, MN?

Marshall County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 2.

When should I plant Dill in Marshall County, MN?

In Marshall County, MN, plant Dill after the last frost (around May 11) and before the first frost (around October 2). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Marshall County, MN for Dill?

Marshall County sits in USDA Zone 3b. Dill grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Dill grow in Marshall County's climate?

Yes — Dill grows well in Marshall County's temperate climate. Marshall County averages a 144-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 11 and first frost around October 2.

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Your Marshall County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Marshall County (Zone 3b). 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 Marshall County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.