Growing Dill

Anethum graveolens : Apiaceae / the umbelliferae family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
        P P            

(Best months for growing Dill in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 6 inches apart
  • Harvest in 8-12 weeks. Use leaves before flowering.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Cabbage, Coriander, Fennel, tomatoes, broccoli
  • Dill leaf

Dill is best grown as an annual. It is easy to grow from seed and will produce wispy leaves growing on a single stem about 75 cm (30 in) high, which can be harvested about eight weeks after sowing. Once the plant will begins to produce flower heads, the leaf production will stop. Dill, like most herbs, grows best in the sun, but will tolerate afternoon shade. Dill grows up to 1 m (36 in) tall, so plant it in the back of your flower, vegetable or herb garden. Sow seeds close together. This will allow the plants, which blow over easily, to support each other.

If you want to use dill seeds, let the seedheads develop and dry completely, then cut them and hang them upside down by the stems in a paper bag. The seeds will dry and fall into the bag. They can then be stored in a glass jar.

Repeat sow for a regular supply of leaves.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Dill

Dill leaves can be used fresh or dried in salads, meats, vegetable dishes and soups.
Freshly cut leaves enhance the flavour of dips, herb butter, soups, salads, fish dishes, and salads.
Both the flowering heads and seeds are used in flavoured vinegars and oils.
Used whole or ground, the seeds add zest to bread, cheese, and salad dressing.

Your comments and tips

23 Sep 10, Jay (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Dill is an amazing companion plant. Plant it amongst your brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower etc) and it will keep away the cabbage moths. Plant it a little earlier to set up the patch. It's wonderful to eat with any potato or cheese dish and has abundant seed to replant.
28 Oct 10, Karina (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Whole flowered dill is also great for pickling cucumbers both in just salt water (salty gherkins made in Eastern Europe) or the traditional vinegar gherkins - yum!
27 Feb 11, Ben Jeansson (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The last few years we have been unable to raise dill anywhere in the garden. It has been ruined by what looks like mildew. A greyish powder that covers the whole plant. In the early 2000 we were very successful with growing dill, but now we have given up trying. Can you advice a remedy because we miss our favourite herb. Thanks
23 Nov 11, John Pannell (Australia - temperate climate)
I live near the ocean in Falcon, south of Mandurah, WA. I have tried to grow dill many times without success. I blamed the soil or the salty air. Three days ago my wife brought home a healthy dill plant about 25 cms tall in a pot. The next day the main stem was looking a little wilted. I cut it off and used it in a sauce. This morning the whole plant is frizzled. Any suggestions, please?
07 Dec 11, Bekster (Australia - temperate climate)
Why does dill seem to not like being repotted? Every time I've tried it dies within a week. I've had very little success trying to grow from seed. Any tips for reducing shock and successfully repotting dill would be much appreciated:-)
05 Jan 15, Michael Ruth (Australia - tropical climate)
Dill grows a taproot, therefore it does not transplant well. The reason for its intolerance is that the taproot is usually damaged during transplantation or is replanted such that the taproot can't grow, i.e. in packed soil.
13 Dec 11, (Australia - temperate climate)
The simplest way would be to use a degradable pot and plant the whole thing. There are ready made peat ones available at nurseries, or if you prefer not to use peat you can make biodegradable pots out of newspaper (a quick google will reveal instructions). You plant the whole pot, which if the soil is kept moist will soon break down. Soil blocks are another solution (I use these, and they're great!) but require a soil-blocker to make them.
31 Aug 12, Lee (Australia - temperate climate)
I wouldn't even bother with planting them in pots first. They grow like weeds! I didn't mean to grow them last year but the wind blew a packet of my seeds onto my gravel walk way and since then, they have flourish and seeded themselves. Now I have to actually pull them out otherwise they would take over. Mind you the gravel walkway is compacted and doesn't have any nutrients at all. Seriously, just throw some seeds out in your garden and let them take care of the rest.
26 Aug 13, hamish (Australia - tropical climate)
Dill is an amazing companion plant. Plant it amongst your brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower etc) and it will keep away the cabbage moths. Plant it a little earlier to set up the patch. It's wonderful to eat with any potato or cheese dish and has abundant seed to replant.
09 Jan 14, Mick (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
DILL can get mildew some years use bi -carb spray or milk sunny spot helps every year in Australia is different may be the same everywhere else I dunno
Showing 1 - 10 of 40 comments

after many times of trying to grow a good patch of dill, I finally have see the light. the secret is out, good soil,compost, manure ,sun and not too much water. planted direct in garden amazing, in 2nd. April and it grows faster than I can use. even the new growth is coming on now in june. may be we had good weather? Dill is about 30 cm. now.

- simon

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