When to Plant Dill in El Dorado County, CA
Your May planting checklist for El Dorado County, California
Your El Dorado County, California garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.
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Sow dill in trays indoors
You're about 28 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.
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It's harvest week for dill
This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.
A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
- First harvests: 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.
El Dorado County, California is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is November 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 225 days.
At an elevation of 2,714 feet, El Dorado County receives approximately 41 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Dill to ensure they mature before fall.
El Dorado County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.3-7.2
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 El Dorado County
How your county's soil matches Dill's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.3–7.2) overlaps with Dill's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in El Dorado County is excellent for Dill — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). Annual compost additions will help Dill.
How to Plant Dill
Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Dill
Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 23 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 27.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
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 | — | 7.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 9.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.2" | 3.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 1.1" | 1.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 2.2" | 0.2" | 2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 2.2" | 0" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 2.2" | 0" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 2.2" | 0.5" | 1.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 2.2" | 1.6" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 2.2" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | — | 6.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in El Dorado County). 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 — El Dorado County, CA
Dill Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 4 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Direct Sow | March 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 11 |
| Harvest | May 16 | May 16 – Jul 18 |
| Fall Sowing | September 27 | Sep 27 – Oct 11 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | Fall Sowing |
| 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 9b
📆 Growing Season
225 days in El Dorado County
Growing Tips for Dill in El Dorado County
Direct sow Dill outdoors after April 11 in El Dorado County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 225.0-day season in El Dorado County 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.
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 El Dorado County, CA?
El Dorado County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is El Dorado County, CA?
El Dorado County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is November 22.
Your El Dorado County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for El Dorado County (Zone 9b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.