herb · direct sow
Dill: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating dill a few times a week needs about 70 plants in ~105 sq ft, worth about $140 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$8.00/lb retail, an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 18 | ~27 sq ft | ~39 | ~$36 |
| 2 people | 35 | ~53 sq ft | ~75 | ~$70 |
| 4 people | 70 | ~105 sq ft | ~150 | ~$140 |
| 6 people | 104 | ~156 sq ft | ~223 | ~$208 |
Spacing
12" in row · 18" between rows
Sow depth
0.125"
Days to harvest
40 from seed
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 8 – Jun 26 | Jul 14 – Aug 25 |
| Zone 4 | May 3 – Jun 21 | Jul 24 – Sep 4 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 23 – Jun 11 | Aug 3 – Sep 14 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 13 – Jun 1 | Aug 13 – Sep 24 |
| Zone 7 | Mar 29 – May 17 | Aug 23 – Oct 4 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 18 – May 6 | Sep 13 – Oct 25 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 13 – Apr 3 | Oct 3 – Nov 14 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 24 – Mar 14 | Oct 13 – Nov 24 |
Know when it's time to plant
Give us your ZIP and we'll email you a planting checklist for your exact frost dates, this month's list right now, then once a month when sow windows open.
One email a month, only when there's something to plant. Unsubscribe anytime.
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Ready to pick when
For leaf dill, cut ferny fronds any time before flowering. For pickling heads, cut when flowers have just opened.
Yield
About 0.25 lbs per plant over ~8 productive weeks (~0.25 lb). Re-sow every ~21 days for a steady supply instead of one glut.
Watch for
Carrot rust fly · Parsleyworm · Aphids, the pest guide covers organic fixes for each, and Pest Radar shows what gardeners near you are reporting right now.
Neighbors
Plays well with tomato, tomato, tomato, cucumber.
On the plate (per 100 g, USDA)
43 kcal · 2.1 g fiber · 85 mg vitamin C · 738 mg potassium
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code, not just your zone, in about 60 seconds.
Dill cans, freezes, or dries for the pantry. See how much to grow and store to feed your household, and how long it keeps.
Dill planting questions
How many dill plants do I need per person?+
For steady eating (about 3 servings a week), plan on roughly 18 plants per person. A family of 4 needs about 70 plants, which takes around 105 sq ft of bed space.
How much space does dill need?+
Space plants 12" apart in the row with 18" between rows. Sow 0.125" deep. Direct sow in the bed.
When should I plant dill?+
It depends on your frost dates. Spring sowing is keyed to your last spring frost. It also has a fall window keyed to your first fall frost. The zone table on this page shows typical windows; enter your ZIP in the free planner for dates tuned to your exact location, not just your zone.
Is growing dill worth it?+
At about $8.00/lb retail and ~0.25 lb per plant, a family-of-4 planting is worth about $140 a year at the store. Prices vary by region and season, so treat it as an estimate.