Rainline Garden

When to plant dill in Salem, OR

Plant dill from seed, directly in the garden in Salem, Mar 15 – May 17.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Salem's typical last spring frost is April 3. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the west-side valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about March 15.

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.

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

Step by step

  1. Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
  2. Plant seeds Mar 15 – May 17, 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.

Varieties that do well here

  • Fernleaf (compact)
  • Bouquet
  • Mammoth

Watch out for

Tall plants flop in wind and rain. Grow 'Fernleaf', a compact variety, or give it a stake.

Doesn't like being transplanted; sow it where it will grow. Let a few plants flower to feed beneficial insects.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Salem, OR?

Typically April 3. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 27. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Salem McNary Field.

Is it too late to plant dill in Salem?

The spring planting window runs through May 17. 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.

Also plant in Salem around the same time

Planting dates for dill in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Salem · Dill in every city