Dill is a popular herb that can be used in both savoury and sweet dishes.
It’s a member of the Apiaceae family, which also includes carrots, parsley, and celery.
Dill is easy to grow in your garden, and it can be harvested at any time during the growing season.
Sow Dill seeds in situ in a spot that gets lots of sunshine. Plant the seeds in spring after frost has passed and water well. Seedlings will start to appear after about 10 days. Make regular sowings during the year to maintain a steady supply.
When do you plant Dill?
You can plant Dill anytime during the growing season. Dill is very easy to grow, but it needs lots of sunshine.
It will start producing flowers at the end of summer and dying off as frost nears.
Take note that Dill seeds can be slow to germinate, so be patient.
If you have a long growing season, you can sow seeds in early spring and then again in late summer for a continual supply of Dill.
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How to plant Dill?
First prepare the soil by digging it over thoroughly and adding organic compost or manure if the soil is poor.
Choose an area that gets lots of sunshine and that is sheltered from the wind.
In order that the plants get enough space to grow, you can sow the seeds about 18 inches apart.
Plant them about quarter of an inch deep, cover with soil and water well.
Hoe frequently to keep the soil clear of weeds and water regularly especially during dry periods.
Growing Dill in containers
Dill can also be cultivated in containers.
You will need a container that is at least 10 inches wide and 8 inches deep.
Make sure that it has good drainage holes and fill the container with potting mix.
Plant your seeds 1 inch apart and water well after planting. Keep your plant in an area where it will receive lots of sunshine.
Make sure that you use a deep container for growing Dill as it puts down a main ‘tap’ root, similar to carrots, making it difficult to transplant.
Harvesting Dill
Dill can be harvested at any time during the growing season once it is established in your garden or container.
Once it flowers, you can stop harvesting the leaves and allow the plant to go to seed.
You can also cut your Dill at any time for fresh use in cooking or to dry out for later use.
Be sure to keep your plants well watered during dry periods so that they do not wilt as this will affect the taste of your Dill.
If you are growing Dill for seeds, cut off all the flowering heads as they start to droop over and bend them into a paper bag to dry out.
Once fully dried, take them out again and rub the flower heads between your hands to extract the seeds for storage or use in cooking.
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Will Dill grow back every year?
Dill is a biennial plant which means that it will grow for two years before dying.
However it is very good at self seeding and, if left to develop seeds, you’ll find that your Dill plant multiplies and that new plants will appear around the garden where the seeds fall or are blown by the wind.
Final words
Dill is a very easy plant to grow, it will come back every year if allowed to self seed.
It needs lots of sunshine and water during the growing season.
Dill can be harvested at any time during the growing season once it has been established in your garden or container.
Both Dill seeds and leaves can be used for cooking, but be sure to harvest them before the plant flowers for best flavour.
