When to Plant Dill in Bradley County, TN
Top priorities for Bradley County, Tennessee gardeners in May
Each item below is timed to Bradley County, Tennessee's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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Start dill under lights
These need a head start before your last frost (April 2). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.
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Collect dill at their peak
The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.
Get ahead of June
- 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.
Bradley County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 211 days.
At an elevation of 2,838 feet, Bradley County receives approximately 42.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Dill during the growing season.
Bradley County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.4-6.9
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 Bradley County
How your county's soil matches Dill's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.4–6.9) overlaps with Dill's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Bradley County is excellent for Dill — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). 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 31 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 21.
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 | — | 3.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.2" | 2.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 4.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 3.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 2.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Bradley 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 — Bradley County, TN
Dill Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 26 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Direct Sow | March 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 9 |
| Harvest | May 7 | May 7 – Jul 9 |
| Fall Sowing | August 21 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| 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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
211 days in Bradley County
Growing Tips for Dill in Bradley County
Direct sow Dill outdoors after April 02 in Bradley County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 211.0-day season in Bradley 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 Bradley County, TN?
Bradley County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Bradley County, TN?
Bradley County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is October 30.
Your Bradley County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Bradley 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.