When to Plant Dill in Delta, UT
Your July game plan for Millard County, Utah
A quick July briefing for Millard County, Utah gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
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Bring in the dill
If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.
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Kick off the fall garden with dill
Mid-season soil is hot. Sow a bit deeper than the packet suggests to find cooler, damper ground.
Looking ahead to August
- 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.
Delta, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 137 days.
At an elevation of 6,525 feet, Millard County receives approximately 24 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Dill to ensure they mature before fall.
Delta Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.5-8
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 Delta
How your county's soil matches Dill's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.5–8.0) is more alkaline than Dill prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Millard County is excellent for Dill — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). 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 Aug 01 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 22.
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 | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.2" | 2.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 1.7" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 2.2" | 2.1" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 2.2" | 2.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 2" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Millard 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 — Delta, UT
Dill Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 11 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 9 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Direct Sow | May 2 | May 2 – May 23 |
| Harvest | June 20 | Jun 20 – Aug 22 |
| Fall Sowing | July 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| 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 · 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
137 days in Millard County
Growing Tips for Dill in Delta
Direct sow Dill outdoors after May 16 in Millard 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
Your Millard County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Millard 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.