When to plant dill in The Dalles, OR

Plant dill from seed, directly in the garden in The Dalles, Apr 1 – Jun 3.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

The Dalles's typical last spring frost is April 11. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about April 1.

Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.

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

Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
Plant seeds Apr 1 – Jun 3, ¼ inch deep, 12 inches apart.
Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts appear, which can take one to three weeks in cool soil.
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 The Dalles, OR?

Typically April 11. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 28. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for The Dalles Municipal Airport (Dallesport, WA).

Is it too late to plant dill in The Dalles?

The spring planting window runs through June 3. 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.