When to Plant Dill in Lawrence County, TN
May in the garden — Lawrence County, Tennessee
May is a pivotal month for Lawrence County, Tennessee gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Start dill under lights
Label every cell. You will absolutely forget which is which otherwise.
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Harvest dill as they ripen
Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- 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.
Lawrence County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.
At an elevation of 2,881 feet, Lawrence County receives approximately 52 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Dill during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Dill root diseases.
Lawrence County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.4-6.8
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 Lawrence County
How your county's soil matches Dill's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.4–6.8) overlaps with Dill's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Lawrence County is excellent for Dill — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). 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 25 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 15.
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 | — | 4.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 5.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.2" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 4.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 5.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 5.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 3.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 3.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 4.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Lawrence 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 — Lawrence County, TN
Dill Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 6 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Direct Sow | March 30 | Mar 30 – Apr 20 |
| Harvest | May 18 | May 18 – Jul 20 |
| Fall Sowing | August 15 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| 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
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
194 days in Lawrence County
Growing Tips for Dill in Lawrence County
Direct sow Dill outdoors after April 13 in Lawrence County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 194.0-day season in Lawrence 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 Lawrence County, TN?
Lawrence County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lawrence County, TN?
Lawrence County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 24.
Your Lawrence County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Lawrence 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.