Blog

When to Plant Dill in Garfield County, CO

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.

Garfield County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 25 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 119 days.

At an elevation of 7,997 feet, Garfield County receives approximately 21.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Dill to ensure they mature before fall.

Garfield County, CO (Zone 5b) Short season
119 days
Last Spring Frost May 25
119 growing days
First Fall Frost September 21

Garfield County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 20 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 10 Transplant: Jun 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Sep 20

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 315 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Dill needs ~650 GDD — county provides 1,547 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Garfield County, CO

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Transplant Outdoors May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jun 1
Direct Sow May 11 May 11 โ€“ Jun 1
Fall Sowing July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Jul 27
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 โ€“ Aug 31

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

119 days

Growing Tips for Garfield 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 Garfield County, CO?

Garfield County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 25. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Garfield County, CO?

Garfield County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 25 and first fall frost is September 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Garfield County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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