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When to Plant Dill in Los Angeles County, CA

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.

Los Angeles County, California is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is November 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 232 days.

At an elevation of 1,315 feet, Los Angeles County receives approximately 12.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Dill during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Dill successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Los Angeles County, CA (Zone 10a) Long season
232 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
232 growing days
First Fall Frost November 21

Los Angeles County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (150 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Feb 27 🍅 Harvest: Apr 10 – Jun 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jul 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 30 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Sep 3

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.2″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,899 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Dill needs ~762 GDD — county provides 3,538 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Los Angeles County, CA

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 10
Direct Sow March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Apr 3
Fall Sowing September 26 Sep 26 โ€“ Oct 10
Harvest May 8 May 8 โ€“ Jul 10

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October Fall Sowing
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 10a

Growing Season

232 days

Growing Tips for Los Angeles County

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

  • Carrots
  • Tomatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Dill in Los Angeles County, CA?

Los Angeles County is in Zone 10a with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Los Angeles County, CA?

Los Angeles County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is November 21.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Los Angeles County gardeners in Zone 10a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Los Angeles County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.