When to Plant Dill in Los Angeles County, CA
May in the garden — Los Angeles County, California
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Los Angeles County, California this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
-
Time to start dill inside
You're about 28 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.
-
Harvest dill as they ripen
This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.
Looking ahead to 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.
Los Angeles County, California is in USDA Zone 10b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is November 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 232 days.
At an elevation of 1,315 feet, Los Angeles County receives approximately 12.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Dill during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Dill successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Los Angeles County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
5.8-7.5
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 Los Angeles County
How your county's soil matches Dill's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.8–7.5) overlaps with Dill's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Los Angeles County is excellent for Dill — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). 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 22 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 26.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 10/10 — 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 | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.2" | 1.2" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 2.2" | 0.4" | 1.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 2.2" | 0.1" | 2.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 2.2" | 0" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 2.2" | 0" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 2.2" | 0.2" | 2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 2.2" | 0.6" | 1.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | 2.2" | 1.3" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Los Angeles 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 — Los Angeles County, CA
Dill Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 27 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Direct Sow | March 13 | Mar 13 – Apr 3 |
| Harvest | May 8 | May 8 – Jul 10 |
| Fall Sowing | September 26 | Sep 26 – Oct 10 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| 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 | Fall Sowing |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.5"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
40–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 10b
📆 Growing Season
232 days in Los Angeles County
Growing Tips for Dill in Los Angeles County
Direct sow Dill outdoors after April 03 in Los Angeles County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 232.0-day season in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles County, CA?
Los Angeles County is in Zone 10b with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Los Angeles County, CA?
Los Angeles County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is November 21.
Your Los Angeles County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Los Angeles County (Zone 10b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.