Blog

When to Plant Dill in Deschutes County, OR

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.

Deschutes County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 15 and the first fall frost is September 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 90 days.

At an elevation of 221 feet, Deschutes County receives approximately 54.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Dill to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Dill root diseases.

Deschutes County, OR (Zone 6a) Very short season
90 days
Last Spring Frost June 15
90 growing days
First Fall Frost September 13

Deschutes County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 29 Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 9
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 11 Transplant: Jun 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 22 Transplant: Jun 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Oct 2

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.

Soil Compatibility in Deschutes County

How your county's soil matches Dill's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4โ€“6.2) overlaps with Dill's range (5.5โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Deschutes County is excellent for Dill โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.0%) โ€” Dill will thrive.

How to Plant Dill

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Dill

2
successive plantings in your 90-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 15 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 05.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
2.6″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Dill needs ~538 GDD — county provides 967 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline โ€” Deschutes County, OR

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors May 11 May 11 โ€“ May 25
Transplant Outdoors June 8 Jun 8 โ€“ Jun 22
Direct Sow June 1 Jun 1 โ€“ Jun 22
Fall Sowing July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Jul 19
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 โ€“ Sep 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

90 days in Deschutes County

Growing Tips for Dill in Deschutes County

Direct sow Dill outdoors after June 15 in Deschutes County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Dill in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Deschutes County, OR?

Deschutes County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of June 15. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Deschutes County, OR?

Deschutes County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 15 and first fall frost is September 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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