When to Plant Dill in Wirt County, WV
What to do in May
Each item below is timed to Wirt County, West Virginia's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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Sow dill in trays indoors
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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It's harvest week for dill
The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.
A few tasks this May that'll pay off in 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.
Wirt County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 180 days.
At an elevation of 2,111 feet, Wirt County receives approximately 51.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Dill during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Dill root diseases.
Wirt County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.5-6.7
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 Wirt County
How your county's soil matches Dill's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.5–6.7) is within Dill's preferred range (5.5–7.0).
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Wirt 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 Aug 23 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 13.
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 | — | 4.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.2" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 5.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 5.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 3.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Wirt 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 — Wirt County, WV
Dill Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 18 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Direct Sow | April 11 | Apr 11 – May 2 |
| Harvest | May 30 | May 30 – Aug 1 |
| Fall Sowing | August 13 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | 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: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
180 days in Wirt County
Growing Tips for Dill in Wirt County
Direct sow Dill outdoors after April 25 in Wirt County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 180.0-day season in Wirt 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 Wirt County, WV?
Wirt County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Dill planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Wirt County, WV?
Wirt County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 22.
Your Wirt County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Wirt County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.