Rainline Garden My garden plan
A feathery sprig of fresh dill
Photo: Pexels

When to plant dill in Centralia and Chehalis, WA

Plant dill from seed, directly in the garden in Centralia and Chehalis, Mar 25 – May 27.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Difficulty
Easy
Sun
Full sun
Spacing
12 inches apart
Planting depth
¼ inch deep
Frost
Handles light frost
First harvest
About 60 days after planting

Why these dates

Centralia and Chehalis's typical last spring frost is April 22. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 4 weeks before that.

West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.

How to grow dill in Centralia and Chehalis

  1. Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
  2. Plant seeds Mar 25 – May 27, ¼ inch deep, 12 inches apart.
  3. Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts appear, which can take one to three weeks in cool soil.
  4. Harvest: Snip leaves any time. For pickling, cut the flower heads just as they open.

Key numbers

Growing notes

What makes the difference in Northwest gardens, in plain language.

Soil and sowing

Dill grows in average, well-drained soil with a pH around 5.8 to 6.8 and doesn't need much fertilizer. Rich soil makes soft, floppy plants. It has a long taproot and sulks after transplanting, so sow seed where it will grow, about a quarter inch deep, after the soil has warmed a bit. Keep the soil moist until seedlings appear. Sow a few more seeds every three or four weeks through early summer for a steady supply of leaves.

Why dill bolts and how to time it

Dill naturally heads for flowering as summer days get long and warm, and after that it makes few new leaves. If you grow it mainly for leaves, choose Fernleaf or Bouquet and sow several times. If you want flower heads for pickles, time one sowing about two months before cucumbers start producing, since the two are harvested together. Dill and fennel can cross, which spoils the flavor of saved seed, so keep them apart. West of the Cascades, stake taller types or grow compact Fernleaf to handle rain and wind.

Insects, harvest and seed

Dill flowers are excellent for beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings and tiny parasitic wasps that help control aphids on nearby crops. Aphids sometimes cluster on dill itself; a spray of water clears them. Snip leaves any time. They wilt fast, so use them quickly or freeze them. For seed, let flower heads turn brown, then cut them into a paper bag to dry. Dill self-sows readily, so expect volunteer seedlings next spring.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Centralia and Chehalis, WA?

Typically April 22. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 10. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Centralia.

Is it too late to plant dill in Centralia and Chehalis?

The spring planting window runs through May 27. Later plantings tend to struggle in summer heat.

How long until I can harvest dill?

About 60 days after planting. Snip leaves any time. For pickling, cut the flower heads just as they open.

Why is my dill flowering so soon?

Long, warm days push dill to flower. Sow small batches every few weeks and choose leafy types like Fernleaf. Letting some plants flower is fine; they feed beneficial insects.

Can I transplant dill?

Dill has a taproot and usually stalls or bolts after being moved. Sow it directly in the garden instead. If you do buy starts, plant them young and disturb the roots as little as possible.

When do I harvest dill for pickles?

Cut the flower heads just as they open, when they are still bright yellow. Plan a sowing about two months before your cucumbers are ready so both crops line up.

Also plant in Centralia and Chehalis around the same time

Planting dates for dill in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Centralia and Chehalis · Dill in every city