When to plant Dill in Ignacio, CO
Ignacio's spring Dill window runs May 17 through June 7. time plantings around the expected last-frost window for best survival. A second sowing from July 13 to July 27 extends the harvest into fall.
When to Plant Dill in Ignacio, CO
This month in La Plata County, Colorado
A quick July briefing for La Plata County, Colorado gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
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Time to start dill inside
Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.
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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.
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Plant your fall garden: dill
Fall crops get sweeter with a light frost. Don't be afraid of cool nights.
August prep starts now
- 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.
Ignacio, Colorado is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 31 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 113 days.
At an elevation of 5,246 feet, La Plata County receives approximately 14.9 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. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Dill successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Ignacio Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.2-7.9
Drainage
Well Drained
Dill 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 Ignacio
How your county's soil matches Dill's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–7.9) is more alkaline than Dill prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in La Plata County is excellent for Dill — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Dill.
How to Plant Dill
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Dill
Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 23 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 13.
Dill 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 | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.2" | 1.6" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 2.2" | 0.9" | 1.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 2.2" | 1.4" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 2.2" | 1.5" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 2.2" | 1.3" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in La Plata 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 — Ignacio, CO
Dill Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 26 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 24 | May 24 – Jun 7 |
| Direct Sow | May 17 | May 17 – Jun 7 |
| Harvest | July 5 | Jul 5 – Sep 6 |
| Fall Sowing | July 13 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
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 |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | Fall Sowing 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: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
113 days in La Plata County
Growing Tips for Dill in Ignacio
Direct sow Dill outdoors after May 31 in La Plata County 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
When should I plant Dill in Ignacio, CO?
In Ignacio, CO, plant Dill after the last frost (around May 31) and before the first frost (around September 21). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.
What growing zone is Ignacio, CO for Dill?
Ignacio sits in USDA Zone 6a. Dill grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.
Can Dill grow in Ignacio's climate?
Yes — Dill grows well in Ignacio's temperate climate. Ignacio averages a 113-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 31 and first frost around September 21.
Your La Plata County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for La Plata County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.