Herb

When to Plant Dill

Essential for pickles and a magnet for beneficial insects. Dill grows fast and tall, adding feathery beauty to any garden.

Sun

Full sun (6-8 hours)

Water

1 inch per week

Days to Harvest

40-60

Difficulty

beginner

Spacing

12"

Frost Tolerance

moderate

The Short Answer

Dill can handle some cold. Direct sow 0 weeks after your last frost date. Enter your zip code on our homepage tool for exact dates.

How to Grow Dill

Dill has a split personality: the ferny leaves (dill weed) are a delicate herb for fish, potatoes, and dips, while the seeds and flower heads are essential for pickling. A single planting serves both purposes if timed right — harvest leaves early, then let the plants bolt and flower for dill heads at pickle-making time. Dill's taproot makes transplanting unreliable; direct sow for best results. Swallowtail butterfly caterpillars love dill — most gardeners consider them welcome guests and plant extra. Self-seeds aggressively; you'll have volunteer dill for years.

Direct Sowing

Dill can be direct sown 0 weeks after your last frost date. Plant seeds 0.25" deep, spaced 12" apart.

Growing Tips

Direct sow — dill has a taproot and doesn't transplant well. Succession plant every 3 weeks. Let some go to seed for self-sowing.

Companion Planting

Good companions:

Lettuce Cucumbers Onions

Keep away from:

Carrots Tomatoes

Dill Planting Dates by State

Click your state for dill planting dates specific to your location:

Note: Planting dates are based on average frost dates from NOAA Climate Normals (30-year averages). Actual conditions vary year to year. Always check your local forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026