Blog

When to Plant Dill in Guadalupe County, NM

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.

Guadalupe County, New Mexico is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 161 days.

At an elevation of 4,169 feet, Guadalupe County receives approximately 16 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Dill during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Dill will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Dill successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Guadalupe County, NM (Zone 6b) Moderate season
161 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
161 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Guadalupe County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.2-8.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Aug 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 14 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 25

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
0.4″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,002 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Dill needs ~800 GDD — county provides 2,576 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Guadalupe County, NM

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 11
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 9
Direct Sow April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 9
Fall Sowing August 1 Aug 1 โ€“ Aug 15
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Aug 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing 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 6b

Growing Season

161 days

Growing Tips for Guadalupe 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 Guadalupe County, NM?

Guadalupe County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Guadalupe County, NM?

Guadalupe County, New Mexico is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Guadalupe County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Guadalupe County, NM. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.