When to Plant Dill in Lamar County, TX
What to do in May
Here's what deserves your attention in Lamar County, Texas this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 8a and timed around your local frost dates.
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Harvest dill as they ripen
Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.
Get ahead of 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.
Lamar County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 15 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 245 days.
At an elevation of 95 feet, Lamar County receives approximately 59.8 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Dill root diseases.
Lamar County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Sandy Loam
Soil pH
5.8-6.8
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 Lamar County
How your county's soil matches Dill's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.8–6.8) is within Dill's preferred range (5.5–7.0).
Soil Texture
Sandy soil in Lamar County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Dill will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is low (1.9%). 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 Sep 16 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 06.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 2.2" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 2.2" | 6.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 8.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 9.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 7.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 5.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 3.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 2.2" | 2.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Lamar 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 — Lamar County, TX
Dill Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 8 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 8 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Direct Sow | March 1 | Mar 1 – Mar 22 |
| Harvest | April 19 | Apr 19 – Jun 21 |
| 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 | Start Indoors |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| 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: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8a
📆 Growing Season
245 days in Lamar County
Growing Tips for Dill in Lamar County
Direct sow Dill outdoors after March 15 in Lamar County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Sandy soil in Lamar County dries quickly — mulch Dill with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.
Your generous 245.0-day season in Lamar 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.
With 60" of annual rainfall in Lamar County, ensure good drainage for Dill — excess moisture can promote root rot and fungal diseases.
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 Lamar County, TX?
Lamar County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 15. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lamar County, TX?
Lamar County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 15 and first fall frost is November 15.
Your Lamar County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Lamar County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.