When to Plant Dill in Sandoval County, NM
May in Sandoval County, New Mexico — your action list
May is a pivotal month for Sandoval County, New Mexico gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Move dill into the garden
Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.
June prep starts now
- Starting indoors: dill
- 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.
Sandoval County, New Mexico is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.
At an elevation of 4,259 feet, Sandoval County receives approximately 13.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Dill during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Dill will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Dill successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Sandoval County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Sandy Loam
Soil pH
7.1-8.6
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 Sandoval County
How your county's soil matches Dill's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (7.1–8.6) is more alkaline than Dill prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
Sandy soil in Sandoval County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Dill will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Dill.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is low (0.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting 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 Aug 06 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 27.
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 | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 0.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.2" | 0.3" | 1.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 2.2" | 0.4" | 1.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 2.2" | 2.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 2.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 1.8" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 2.2" | 1.3" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Sandoval 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 — Sandoval County, NM
Dill Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 5 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 3 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Direct Sow | April 26 | Apr 26 – May 17 |
| Harvest | June 14 | Jun 14 – Aug 16 |
| Fall Sowing | July 27 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| 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: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
148 days in Sandoval County
Growing Tips for Dill in Sandoval County
Direct sow Dill outdoors after May 10 in Sandoval County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Sandy soil in Sandoval County dries quickly — mulch Dill with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.
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 Sandoval County, NM?
Sandoval County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Sandoval County, NM?
Sandoval County, New Mexico is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 5.
Your Sandoval County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Sandoval County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.