How to Grow and Care For Dill

Dill, known scientifically as 'Anethum graveolens', is a fragrant herb that enhances the flavor profile of numerous dishes, ranging from soups and salads to pickles and fish recipes.

This annual plant, characterized by its wispy, fern-like leaves and distinctive aroma, originates from Eastern Europe and is now cultivated globally for both its culinary and medicinal properties.

Published: June 12, 2024.

One of the most appealing aspects of dill is its simplicity in terms of cultivation. Thriving in various climates and requiring minimal maintenance, dill is an excellent choice for both seasoned gardeners and beginners.

Its fast-growing nature and ability to adapt to most garden soils make it a rewarding herb to grow, yielding both leaves and seeds that can be used in cooking.

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Choosing the Right Variety

There are several varieties of dill, each with its own unique characteristics and culinary applications. The most common varieties include:

  • Bouquet: Often found in seed catalogues and garden centers, this variety is known for its high yield of seeds, making it ideal for use in pickling. Bouquet dill grows taller and produces large, umbrella-shaped flower clusters known as umbels.
  • Fernleaf: This is a dwarf variety that is perfect for container gardening. With its compact growth habit and abundant feathery leaves, Fernleaf dill is excellent for culinary uses, particularly for garnishing and in fresh dishes where the leaf is preferred over the seed.
  • Teddy Dill - Ideal for container or hydroponic gardens, Teddy dill features a growth pattern similar to that of Fernleaf dill but is more compact and produces fuller foliage. This lush, robust plant outpaces Fernleaf in both growth speed and productivity, making it a prolific choice for gardeners.
  • Dukat Dill - Originating from Denmark, Dukat dill is celebrated for its mild, sweet flavor suited to Scandinavian cuisine. This variety is slow to bolt and produces lush, leafy fronds that remain vibrant longer than many other types, ensuring a prolonged harvest period.
  • Hera Dill - Known for its thick, even foliage, Hera dill is a staple for those seeking a reliable bunching dill. It matures within 40 to 50 days and proceeds to seed stage between 90 and 100 days, maintaining a consistent performance throughout the season.
  • Thalia Dlight - A close relative to Hera dill, Thalia is distinguished by its resistance to bolting, making it a superior option for gardeners aiming for prolonged leaf harvesting. It features dense, uniform foliage ideal for bunching and reaches maturity within 40 to 50 days, with seeding occurring around 95 to 105 days.

Each variety offers different benefits, depending on your cooking and gardening needs. Bouquet dill is better suited for recipes requiring seeds, such as pickling, while Fernleaf is more appropriate for dishes that need fresh, finely chopped leaves due to its more manageable size and abundant leaf production.

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Planting Dill

Substrate and Location

Dill thrives in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 5.8 and 6.5. While it can tolerate slightly poorer soils, optimal growth is achieved in rich soils that retain moisture without becoming waterlogged.

A sunny location is crucial as dilling prefers full sunlight, receiving at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. However, it can also tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates where the afternoon sun might be too intense.

Seeding Tips

The best time to sow dill seeds is directly into the ground after the danger of frost has passed in the spring. Dill does not transplant well due to its delicate taproot system, so it is best sown where it is to grow.

Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep, spacing them about 18 inches apart to allow for their sprawling growth. You can also sow dill seeds in successive batches every few weeks to ensure a continuous crop throughout the growing season.

Germination Expectations

Dill seeds typically germinate within 10-14 days, depending on soil temperature and moisture levels. Keep the soil consistently moist during the germination period.

Seedlings will appear with a single shoot and two seed leaves, followed by the development of true dill leaves, which are finely divided and delicate.

As the plants mature, thin them to prevent overcrowding, which can lead to a decrease in air circulation and an increase in pest pressures.

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Cultivating Healthy Dill

Watering Requirements

Dill prefers evenly moist soil, but it is crucial to avoid overwatering. In general, dill should be watered deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather conditions and soil type.

During periods of prolonged dryness or heat, increase the watering frequency to prevent the soil from drying out completely, which can stress the plant and reduce its vigor. Well-drained soil is essential to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.

Feeding Your Dill

Dill is not a heavy feeder, but it benefits from a light application of fertilizer to support its rapid growth. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer applied every four to six weeks can help promote healthy growth.

Alternatively, incorporating a generous amount of compost or a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil at the time of planting can provide dill with sufficient nutrients for most of its growth cycle.

Thinning Seedlings

Thinning dill seedlings is an important step to ensure that the plants have enough space to develop robustly.

When seedlings are about 2-3 inches tall, thin them so they are approximately 12-18 inches apart.

This spacing allows ample air circulation, which helps prevent fungal infections and encourages stronger, healthier plants. Thinning also reduces competition for nutrients, sunlight, and water, promoting a more bountiful harvest.

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Pest and Disease Management

Common Pests and Diseases

Dill is susceptible to a few pests and diseases, including:

  • Aphids: These small, soft-bodied insects cluster on the undersides of leaves, sucking sap and weakening the plant.
  • Spider mites: These tiny spider-like pests cause yellowing and speckling of leaves by feeding on the undersides.
  • Carrot rust flies: Their larvae can damage the roots of dill if it's grown in close proximity to carrots.
  • Damping-off: This fungal disease affects seedlings, causing them to rot at the soil line and collapse.

Organic Remedies and Preventive Measures

Managing pests and diseases organically involves a combination of good cultural practices and natural treatments:

  • Regular Monitoring: Check plants regularly for signs of pests and diseases. Early detection is key to effective management.
  • Proper Spacing and Airflow: Ensure plants are not overcrowded and that there's good air circulation to help prevent fungal infections.
  • Neem Oil: This organic oil is effective against a wide range of pests and mildews when applied as a foliar spray. It's safe, non-toxic, and acts as a natural repellent.
  • Insecticidal Soap: Use insecticidal soap to control aphid and spider mite infestations. It's most effective when applied directly to the pests.
  • Encourage Beneficial Insects: Attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings, which prey on aphids and other pests, by planting a diverse garden.

These strategies help maintain a healthy dill garden, minimizing the need for chemical interventions and ensuring a natural, bountiful harvest.

How to Harvest and Store Dill

Harvesting and storing dill involves understanding the right timing and techniques to maximize both the flavor and the longevity of this aromatic herb.

When to Harvest

The best time to harvest dill will depend on what you plan to use it for - leaves, flowers, or seeds.

  • Leaves: For the freshest flavor, harvest dill leaves before the plant begins to flower, usually 6 to 8 weeks after sowing. Young leaves have a milder and sweeter flavor.
  • Flowers: If you are interested in using dill flowers, say for pickling, harvest them as soon as they are fully open but before the seeds begin to set.
  • Seeds: Harvest dill seeds when the flowers have matured and the seeds turn a light brown. The seeds should be slightly crispy to the touch. If left too long, the seeds will drop from the flower head and be lost.

Harvesting Techniques

To ensure that your dill plants continue to produce and remain healthy, follow these harvesting techniques:

  • Leaves: Use a sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears to cut the leafy stems close to the point of branching. Always leave a few leaves on each stem to ensure the plant continues to thrive and produce new growth.
  • Flowers and Seeds: Cut the flower heads early in the morning, which is when the plant's essential oils are most concentrated. Use clean, sharp scissors to snip the stalks that hold the flower heads, and be careful not to shake the seeds loose if that’s what you are harvesting.

Storing Dill

Proper storage of dill is crucial to maintaining its flavor and usability.

  • Refrigerating Fresh Dill: Wrap the dill leaves lightly in a damp paper towel and place them in a zip-lock bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the bag. Store in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer where the dill can stay fresh for about 1-2 weeks.
  • Freezing: Freezing dill is a great way to preserve its flavor. Wash the dill in cold water and pat it dry with paper towels. Chop the leaves and pack them loosely into ice cube trays, filling the gaps with water. Once frozen, transfer the ice cubes to a freezer bag, label, and keep frozen. Use as needed in cooking, allowing the cube to melt in the pan.
  • Drying: Drying dill is another preservation method, ideal for seeds and sometimes leaves. To dry dill leaves, tie the stems together and hang them upside down in a warm, dry, and well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. For seeds, place the flower heads in a paper bag with holes punched in it for air circulation; hang the bag and allow the seeds to dry. Once dried, strip the seeds from the stems and store both leaves and seeds in airtight containers in a cool, dark place.

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Growing dill is a simple and rewarding endeavor that enhances your garden and your kitchen alike. With minimal care, you can enjoy a continuous supply of this aromatic herb throughout the growing season.

Given the ease with which you can cultivate dill, consider exploring other culinary herbs, such as basil, parsley, or cilantro.

Each herb not only adds unique flavors to your dishes but also brings its own set of gardening pleasures and challenges.