When to Plant Dill in San Diego County, CA
Your May game plan for San Diego County, California
Your San Diego 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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Indoor seed-starting week for dill
A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.
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Collect dill at their peak
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.
San Diego County, California is in USDA Zone 10b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.
At an elevation of 2,613 feet, San Diego County receives approximately 18.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92°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.
San Diego County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
5.7-7.5
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 San Diego County
How your county's soil matches Dill's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.7–7.5) overlaps with Dill's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in San Diego County is excellent for Dill — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). 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 02 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 06.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 | — | 3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 3.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.2" | 1.4" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 2.2" | 0.5" | 1.7" | 🚿 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" | 0.8" | 1.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | 2.2" | 1.8" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in San Diego 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 — San Diego County, CA
Dill Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 9 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Direct Sow | March 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 16 |
| Harvest | May 21 | May 21 – Jul 23 |
| Fall Sowing | September 6 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Start Indoors 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 · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
40–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 10b
📆 Growing Season
199 days in San Diego County
Growing Tips for Dill in San Diego County
Direct sow Dill outdoors after April 16 in San Diego County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 199.0-day season in San Diego 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 San Diego County, CA?
San Diego County is in Zone 10b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is San Diego County, CA?
San Diego County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is November 1.
Your San Diego County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for San Diego 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.