Growing Dill: A Fresh Addition to Your Garden
Let's talk about growing dill! This herb is often forgotten but it's so easy to grow and also adds a burst of flavor to many dishes. I love using dill in our kitchen, as it is uncomplicated but makes a big impact! I especially love it for pickling!
Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, dill is a fantastic addition to any herb garden, and I'm here to guide you to grow your own!
Contents:
What is Dill and How Do You Use It?
Dill (Anethum graveolens) is an annual, aromatic herb with feathery leaves and small yellow flowers. It belongs to the Apiaceae family, which is also known as the carrot or parsley family.
This family includes many aromatic herbs and vegetables, such as parsley, cilantro, carrots, celery, and fennel. Plants in the Apiaceae family typically have hollow stems, finely divided leaves, and umbrella-like clusters of flowers.
Dill is known for its distinct flavor, which is both tangy and slightly sweet and is commonly used in culinary dishes, especially in pickling cucumbers to make dill pickles (my favorite!).
However, its uses extend far beyond pickling—you can use dill to flavor fish, potatoes, salads, and even dips and sauces. It's one of those herbs that can really elevate the taste of your food with its fresh and herbal notes.
When to Plant Dill
Knowing when to plant dill is crucial for a successful harvest. Dill thrives in warm weather and requires temperatures consistently above freezing to germinate and grow well.
For this reason, it is best grown from late spring to early summer when the soil has warmed up and the danger of frost has passed.
In cooler climates, you can start dill indoors a few weeks before the last frost date and transplant it outside once the weather warms up. Dill thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade, making it a versatile addition to your garden.
Where to Plant dill
You can plant dill in the ground, garden beds, or containers. But wherever you choose to grow them, look for a location that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. It also helps to choose a location protected from strong winds, as dill's tall foliage can be blown over easily.
Dill prefers well-draining soil that is moderately rich in organic matter. It's not too picky about soil pH but generally grows well in slightly acidic to neutral soil conditions.
If you're planting in containers, use containers that are at least 12 inches deep and ensure they have drainage holes to prevent waterlogged soil, which can lead to root rot.
READ MORE: Raised beds vs. in-ground garden beds
How to Plant Dill from Seed
Planting dill from seed is very easy. Here are the steps:
Start by preparing the soil surface, loosening it gently with a garden fork, and adding compost or aged manure to enrich it.
Sprinkle dill seeds evenly over the soil surface. Since dill seeds are small, sprinkle them lightly and cover them with a thin layer of soil (about 1/4 inch deep).
Water gently to moisten the soil, and keep it consistently moist until the seeds germinate, which typically takes about 7-10 days.
Once the dill seedlings have grown a few inches tall, thin them out to about 12-18 inches apart to allow room for mature growth.
To ensure a season-long fresh supply of dill, continue sowing seeds every few weeks. Do not allow flowers to grow on the plants for an extended harvest of the leaves.
Growing Dill from Cuttings
While dill is typically grown from seed, you can also propagate it from cuttings.
Take a cutting from a healthy dill plant, ensuring it includes a few inches of stem with leaves attached. Remove the lower leaves and place the cutting in a glass of water or directly into moist soil.
Keep the cutting in a warm, sunny spot and ensure the soil or water stays consistently moist until roots develop. Once roots have formed, you can transplant the cutting into your garden or a larger container.
Caring for Dill After Planting
Once established, Dill is a low-maintenance herb, but it still needs some care to thrive. Here are a few tips for caring for your dill plants:
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist, especially during dry spells. Avoid overwatering, as dill plants are susceptible to root rot in soggy conditions.
Thinning: If you've sown dill seeds densely, thin out the seedlings once they reach a few inches tall. Space them about 12-18 inches apart to allow room for growth.
Mulching: To help retain moisture and suppress weeds, apply a layer of mulch around your dill plants. Organic mulches like straw or shredded leaves work well.
Fertilizing: Dill doesn't require heavy fertilization. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer or some pure organic compost (which we prefer) applied in early spring is usually sufficient to support healthy growth.
Rotation: Rotate dill’s planting location each year to prevent soil depletion and reduce the risk of pests and diseases.
Support: Dill can grow tall and may need staking or support to prevent it from falling over, especially in windy conditions.
When to Harvest Dill
Knowing when to harvest dill will give you the best flavor from your herb! Dill plants reach maturity when they are about 18 to 24 inches tall, typically around 6 to 8 weeks after planting. At this stage, the plant is fully grown and ready for harvest.
Harvest the leaves by snipping them off with scissors or pruning shears, starting from the top of the plant and working your way down. For the best flavor, harvest dill leaves in the morning before the heat of the day sets in.
If you're growing dill for its seeds, allow the flowers to bloom and develop into seed heads. Harvest the seeds once they turn light brown and start to dry out. Cut the seed heads and hang them upside down in a paper bag to catch the seeds as they fall off.
Store the dried seeds in an airtight container for future use in cooking or for planting next season.
READ MORE: How to save, dry, and store garden seeds for next year
Companion Planting with Dill
Dill makes a great companion plant in your garden. Its feathery leaves and flowers attract beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps, can help repel pests, and improve overall garden health.
Best Companion Plants for Dill
Cucumbers: Dill attracts pollinators and predatory insects that protect cucumbers from pests. It also improves cucumber growth and flavor. And they just work so perfectly together to make pickled cucumbers!
Get my pickled cucumber recipe here!
Tomatoes: Dill can repel tomato hornworms and other pests that commonly affect tomato plants. However, avoid planting mature dill near tomatoes, as it can inhibit their growth. Young dill plants are fine but should be relocated as they mature.
Cabbage Family (Brassicas): Dill helps deter cabbage loopers and other pests that target cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts.
Lettuce: Dill can help improve the flavor and growth of lettuce while also repelling pests like aphids.
Basil: Dill and basil can be beneficial when planted together, as they both repel pests and improve each other’s growth.
Cilantro: These two herbs can attract beneficial insects and improve each other’s growth when planted together.
Poor Companion Plants for Dill
Carrots: Dill and carrots should be planted apart as they are both in the Apiaceae family and can cross-pollinate, affecting the flavor and growth of the carrots.
Fennel: Dill and fennel can cross-pollinate, which may lead to hybrid plants with altered flavors. It’s best to keep them separate.
Growing dill is a rewarding experience that adds both beauty and flavor to your garden. Whether you're harvesting its delicate leaves for culinary creations or allowing it to flower and set seeds for future plantings, dill is a versatile herb that I encourage you to consider growing.
With a little care and attention to its growing needs, you'll soon enjoy the fresh, tangy taste of homegrown dill in your favorite dishes!
I think you’ll like these blogs too:
Growing herbs: All the essentials to know
Grow your own basil with these steps
Learn how to grow cucumbers this summer
Love, Annette xx