When to Plant Dill in Haakon County, SD
Your May planting checklist for Haakon County, South Dakota
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Haakon County, South Dakota this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
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Move dill from tray to bed
Bring a watering can to the bed. Each transplant gets a drink the moment it's in the ground, not ten minutes later.
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Scatter dill into prepared beds
Your soil is 54°F — warm enough for these to germinate without babying.
Looking ahead to June
- Starting indoors: dill
- 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.
Haakon County, South Dakota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 137 days.
At an elevation of 1,097 feet, Haakon County receives approximately 22.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Dill to ensure they mature before fall.
Haakon County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.5-7.5
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 Haakon County
How your county's soil matches Dill's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.5–7.5) overlaps with Dill's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Haakon County is excellent for Dill — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Dill.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.1%) — Dill will thrive.
How to Plant Dill
Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Dill
Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 30 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 06.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 10/10 — 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 | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.2" | 2.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 1.6" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 2.2" | 1.9" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 2.2" | 2.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 2" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Haakon 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 — Haakon County, SD
Dill Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 2 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 7 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Direct Sow | May 7 | May 7 – May 28 |
| Harvest | June 18 | Jun 18 – Aug 20 |
| Fall Sowing | July 6 | Jul 6 – Jul 20 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| 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 4b
📆 Growing Season
137 days in Haakon County
Growing Tips for Dill in Haakon County
Direct sow Dill outdoors after May 14 in Haakon 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Dill in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Dill in Haakon County, SD?
Haakon County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Haakon County, SD?
Haakon County, South Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 28.
Your Haakon County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Haakon County (Zone 4b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.