Dill is an annual herb in the celery family. It is grown for its leaves which are used as an herb or spice. Dill is a hardy plant that grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. Seeds need to be sown in late spring or early summer. Dill is ready to harvest when the leaves are 6-8 inches long.
Botanical Name: | Anethum graveolens |
Other Names: | Dill weed, Garden Dill |
Type of Plant: | Annual herb |
Size and Appearance: | Grows up to 24 inches tall. The leaves are delicate and fernlike, and the flowers are small and yellow. |
Planting Time:
Early spring.
Blossoming Time:
Mid to late summer.
Propagation:
From seed or cuttings.
Sun:
Full sun.
Temperature:
Between 60°F – 68°F (15°C and 20°C)
Soil:
Loamy, well-drained soil
Watering:
Water regularly to keep the soil moist, but not soggy.
Fertilize:
Fertilize once a month with a balanced fertilizer.
Uses:
Dill can be used fresh, dried, or pickled.
Step by Step guide on how to plant and grow Dill in the garden
- Buy Dill seeds from your local nursery or online.
- Prepare the planting area by tilling the soil and adding compost.
- Sow the Dill seeds in rows.
- Water the seeds regularly, keeping the soil moist but not wet.
- When the Dill plants are about 6 inches tall, thin them out so that they are about 12 inches apart.
- Continue to water the plants regularly.
- Dill is ready to harvest when the leaves are 4-6 inches long. Cut the leaves off at the stem, taking care not to damage the plant.
I will cover each step in a little more detail in the following.
1. Buy Dill seeds from your local nursery or online.
Some places where Dill seeds can be bought are the supermarket, the grocery store, or online.
The best place to buy Dill seeds is online because there is a wider variety of seeds to choose from.
2. Prepare the planting area by tilling the soil and adding compost.
Dill prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soils. It does not tolerate shade or wet soils. An ideal spot for Dill in the garden would be in an area that receives full sun and has well-drained soils.
To prepare the soil for Dill, loosen the topsoil to a depth of about 8 inches using a hoe, spade, or tiller.
If the soil is very compacted, loosen it to a depth of 12 inches.
Rake the loosened soil until it is level, then firm it by walking over it. Water the area well.
If the soil is very sandy, add some compost to help retain moisture.
If the soil is very clayey, add some sand to help improve drainage.
Dill can be planted as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring.
One obstacle that may be encountered when preparing the soil is that the soil may be too dry and crumbly to work. If this is the case, water the area a few days before trying to loosen the soil.
3. Sow the Dill seeds in rows
Dill can be sown directly into the garden in early spring, as soon as the ground can be worked.
Sow dill seeds ½ inch deep in rows 18 inches apart.
4. Water the seeds regularly, keeping the soil moist but not wet.
Keep the soil moist until the seedlings emerge, which should happen within 10-14 days.
5. When the Dill plants are about 6 inches tall, thin them out so that they are about 12 inches apart.
For the best results, Dill seedlings should be thinned when they are about 2 inches tall.
To thin, carefully remove excess seedlings so that only the strongest and healthiest remain.
This will ensure that the Dill plants have enough space to grow and produce a good crop.
6. Continue to water the plants regularly.
A freshly planted Dill needs a lot of water because it is a newly growing plant and it needs water to help it grow.
7. Dill is ready to harvest when the leaves are 4-6 inches long. Cut the leaves off at the stem, taking care not to damage the plant.
The best time to harvest dill is when the plant is in full bloom and the leaves are at their darkest green color.
This usually occurs in late summer or early fall. To harvest, cut the stem about 2-3 inches above the ground using a sharp knife or gardening shears.
Dill is a hardy annual herb that can reach up to 2.5 feet in height. To encourage new growth in spring, cut back the dill plant to about 6 inches above the ground.
This will encourage the plant to produce new growth from the base, resulting in a fuller, healthier plant.
How to grow dill in a planting pot step by step.
- Choose a planting pot that is at least 12 inches wide and 12 inches deep.
- Fill the pot with a high-quality potting mix.
- Water the potting mix until it is evenly moistened.
- Sow the dill seeds in the pot, spacing them about 1 inch apart, and cover the seeds with a thin layer of potting mix.
- Place the pot in a location that receives full sun.
- Keep the potting mix moistened.
- When the dill plants are 4 inches tall, thin them so that they are spaced about 6 inches apart.
- Apply a balanced fertilizer to the pot once every month.
- Harvest the dill leaves as needed.
I will cover each step in a little more detail in the following.
1. Choose a planting pot that is at least 12 inches wide and 12 inches deep.
Buy Dill seeds, a planting pot, and some potting mix to get started.
The perfect pot for Dill is a small, shallow pot with well-drained soil. Dill prefers a sunny location and does not tolerate wet feet.
2. Fill the pot with a high-quality potting mix.
Dill grows best in a potting mix that is well-drained and has a slightly acidic pH. A good potting mix for Dill would be a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite.
This mix will provide good drainage and aeration for the roots, while the peat moss will help to hold moisture.
3. Water the potting mix until it is evenly moistened.
When sowing dill seeds, be sure to give the plant plenty of water.
Water the plant deeply and thoroughly right after planting the seeds.
Dill requires moist soil to germinate, so keep the soil moist throughout the germination period.
4. Sow the dill seeds in the pot, spacing them about 1 inch apart, and cover the seeds with a thin layer of potting mix.
Sow the seeds thinly, cover them with a fine layer of compost, and water well.
The best time to sow dill is in late winter or early spring. Dill can also be sown outdoors in late spring.
5. Place the pot in a location that receives full sun.
The perfect spot for Dill indoors in a pot would be in a sunny spot near a window.
Dill needs at least 6 hours of sunlight a day, so a sunny spot near a window would be ideal.
Dill also needs well-drained soil, so a pot with drainage holes would be necessary.
6. Keep the potting mix moistened.
Water is key for Dill, especially when sowing the seeds. Dill does not like to be too wet or too dry, so make sure the soil is moist but not soaked.
You can water the seeds with a fine mist or a gentle spray from a watering can. Be careful not to wash the seeds away.
7. When the dill plants are 4 inches tall, thin them so that they are spaced about 6 inches apart.
To thin Dill seedlings, first, wait until they are about 3-4 inches tall.
Next, using a sharp knife or scissors, cut the seedlings at the soil line so as not to damage the roots of the remaining seedlings.
Finally, transplant the seedlings to their own individual pots or space them out evenly in the garden.
8. Apply a balanced fertilizer to the pot once every month.
The perfect fertilizer for Dill that grows indoors is a balanced fertilizer with low nitrogen content.
9. Harvest the dill leaves as needed.
To harvest dill plants that grow indoors, first cut the flower heads off the plant using a sharp knife.
Then cut the leaves off the stem, being careful not to damage the stem. Finally, cut the stem off at the base of the plant.
To pinch back the tips of Dill plants, use your fingers to snap off the very top of the plant just above a leaf node. This will encourage the plant to branch out and become bushier.
How to use Dill
Dill has a long history of use in both food and medicine.
In the culinary world, dill is commonly used as a spice or herb to add flavor to various dishes.
It is also a popular ingredient in many pickling recipes.
In the medical world, dill has been used to help treat various digestive and respiratory issues.
It is also said to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Dill has also been used in a variety of esoteric and spiritual practices. In some cultures, dill is believed to have protective qualities and is often used in charms and amulets. It is also sometimes used in divination practices.
Here are some different ways you can use dill for preparing food:
- Add dill to soups, stews, or sauces for a flavorful boost
- Mix dill with yogurt or sour cream to make a delicious dip or spread
- Add dill to potato salads or egg salads for a tasty twist
- Make a batch of dill pickles using your favorite recipe
- Use dill in a homemade vinaigrette or salad dressing
- Add a few sprigs of dill to a roasted chicken or turkey before serving
- Use dill in a homemade pesto or sauce
- Add dill to a quiche or frittata for a flavorful addition
- Make a batch of dill-flavored butter by mixing dill and butter together
Facts about Dill
- Dill is used in many cuisines, including Russian, German, Scandinavian, Polish, Baltic, Bulgarian, Turkish, and Indian
- Dill leaves are used as an herb, and the seeds are used as a spice
- Dill has a sweet, anise-like flavor
- Dill is a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as calcium and iron