When to Plant Dill in Bethel Census Area, AK
May in the garden — Bethel Census Area, Alaska
Your garden in Bethel Census Area, Alaska is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
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Transplant dill outside
Your last frost (May 22) has passed. These warm-season crops can handle outdoor soil now.
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Plant dill from seed, right in the garden
Mark the row. Birds and stray feet both have opinions about unmarked beds.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- First harvests: dill
- Fall sowing: dill
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.
Bethel Census Area, Alaska is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 122 days.
At an elevation of 1,369 feet, Bethel Census Area receives approximately 50.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 70°F, 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.
Bethel Census Area Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.2-6.3
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Bethel Census Area
How your county's soil matches Dill's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.2–6.3) overlaps with Dill's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Bethel Census Area is excellent for Dill — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Dill.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (5.8%) — Dill will thrive.
How to Plant Dill
Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Dill
Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 23 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jun 29.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Dill
Dill needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Dill Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.2" | 1.8" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 2.2" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 6.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 7.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 9.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | — | 6.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 4.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Bethel Census Area). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Dill Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Dill Planting Timeline — Bethel Census Area, AK
Dill Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 10 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 15 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Direct Sow | May 15 | May 15 – Jun 5 |
| Harvest | June 26 | Jun 26 – Aug 28 |
| Fall Sowing | June 29 | Jun 29 – Jul 13 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Direct Sow Fall Sowing Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
40–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 4a
📆 Growing Season
122 days in Bethel Census Area
Growing Tips for Dill in Bethel Census Area
Direct sow Dill outdoors after May 22 in Bethel Census Area 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Dill in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Dill in Bethel Census Area, AK?
Bethel Census Area is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 22. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Bethel Census Area, AK?
Bethel Census Area, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 22 and first fall frost is September 21.
Your Bethel Census Area Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Bethel Census Area (Zone 4a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.