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When to Plant Dill in North Coast, BC

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.

North Coast, British Columbia is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 114 feet, North Coast receives approximately 55.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly podzolic loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Dill during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Dill root diseases.

North Coast, BC (Zone 8a) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

North Coast Soil Profile

Soil Type

Podzolic Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 22

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.

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 7.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 7.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 6.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in North Coast). 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 needs ~912 GDD — county provides 3,996 GDD Excellent fit

Dill Planting Timeline — North Coast, BC

Dill Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 – Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 13
Direct Sow March 23 Mar 23 – Apr 13
Harvest May 11 May 11 – Jul 13
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 – Sep 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
September Fall Sowing
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: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

220 days in North Coast

Growing Tips for Dill in North Coast

Your generous 219.0-day season in North Coast allows multiple plantings of Dill. Sow every 20.0 days for continuous harvest.

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

With 56" of annual rainfall in North Coast, ensure good drainage for Dill — excess moisture can promote root rot and fungal diseases.

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Dill in North Coast, BC?

North Coast is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is North Coast, BC?

North Coast, British Columbia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 12.

🌱

Your North Coast Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for North Coast (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.