When to Plant Dill in Southeast Fairbanks, AK
Your May gardening checklist
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
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Transplant dill outside
Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.
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Plant dill from seed, right in the garden
Thin ruthlessly once seedlings are up. Crowded roots mean smaller crops from every plant.
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Direct-sow dill for cool weather
Mid-season soil is hot. Sow a bit deeper than the packet suggests to find cooler, damper ground.
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.
Southeast Fairbanks, Alaska is in USDA Zone 2a. The average last spring frost is June 6 and the first fall frost is August 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 72 days.
At an elevation of 1,414 feet, Southeast Fairbanks receives approximately 39.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 62°F, so choose short-season varieties of Dill to ensure they mature before fall.
Southeast Fairbanks Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
4.9-6.6
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 Southeast Fairbanks
How your county's soil matches Dill's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (4.9–6.6) overlaps with Dill's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Southeast Fairbanks is excellent for Dill — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Dill.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (6.3%) — 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 Jun 18 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by May 25.
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" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Jun | 2.2" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 5.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 5.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | — | 6.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Oct | — | 4.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Aug in Southeast Fairbanks). 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 — Southeast Fairbanks, AK
Dill Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 25 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 30 | May 30 – Jun 13 |
| Direct Sow | May 30 | May 30 – Jun 20 |
| Harvest | July 11 | Jul 11 – Sep 12 |
| Fall Sowing | May 25 | May 25 – Jun 8 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Fall Sowing |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Fall Sowing |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| 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 2a
📆 Growing Season
72 days in Southeast Fairbanks
Growing Tips for Dill in Southeast Fairbanks
Direct sow Dill outdoors after June 06 in Southeast Fairbanks 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 Southeast Fairbanks, AK?
Southeast Fairbanks is in Zone 2a with an average last frost of June 6. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Southeast Fairbanks, AK?
Southeast Fairbanks, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 2a. The average last spring frost is June 6 and first fall frost is August 17.
Your Southeast Fairbanks Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Southeast Fairbanks (Zone 2a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.