Gardening Advice: Instruction for Growing Dill
How to Grow Dill in Your Herb Garden
*** EASY TO GROW! ***
Dill is a very tall, hardy herb plant, that will grow as an annual in most gardening climates. However, with the right conditions, seed heads that are left to mature will reseed in your herb garden’s dill patch and grow in the following gardening season. Grow this herb in your garden for it’s leaves and it’s seeds. Dill is also a good choice for growing in a container garden.
Gardening Advice Tip: Dill will grow to be very tall (about 36" on average, depending upon the variety), so place in a location where it won't block sunshine from other plants in your herb garden. Also, since it's so tall, it is succeptible to damange from strong winds. Try to provide it shelter from wind, if possible.
Dill leaves are traditionally used to season fish dishes and potato salads. In some countries, dill is used as a garnish (like we use parsley). It's a favorite for flavoring sauces, sour cream, pickles and vegetables. The seeds have a taste more like caraway.
Dill is a carminative, aromatic, anti-spasmodic, galactogogue. Dill seeds contain volatile oils that are believed to calm an upset stomach, reduce flatulence, ease heartburn and soothe colic. Dill leaves have an anti-foaming property. Dill is also rich in chlorophyll, which makes it an effective herb in treating bad breath.
In the olden days, water steeped with dill was a popular treatment for babies and children with colic. Also, nursing mothers ate this herb which was reputed to promote the flow of milk. Dill seeds were known as "meeting house" seeds. They were chewed to keep hunger pains at bay during long church services or meetings (which were frequently followed with community pot-lucks!).
Climate & Growing Conditions (back to top)
Dill will grow best in a sunny spot with some shelter from the wind. You may also want to factor for companion planting considerations, when picking the location for your dill patch. For more information: companion gardening.
How to Prepare the Herb Garden Soil (back to top)
Dill will grow in most garden soils. For optimal growing conditions, the soil needs to be deeply dug however. This herb has long roots that need plenty of room to grow. The deeper the root can grow, the better your dill patch will be able to survive wind and storms. Mix compost and bonemeal into to your herb patch a few weeks before planting.
How to Plant Dill (back to top)
Dill seed germinates quickly. Plant this herb in the spring. Cover the seed lightly with soil, and moisten the garden bed. You should see sprouts growing within about two weeks. After they’ve sprouted, thin the plants to 12” apart.
Extend your harvest by planting an additional crop every few weeks.
Gardening Advice Tip: Don't plant dill near carrots or cabbages, they don't grow well together (see companion planting guide). Dill planted near onions can be beneficial though.
How to Water (back to top)
Periodic waterings should suffice, unless you're experiencing a dry spell (in which case, water frequently). As this plant has deep roots, deep watering with a drip/irrigation system is best.
Challenges
Dill is easy to grow, with very few challenges. Keep the herb bed weed-free, using care not to disturb the dill plant roots when weeding.
How to Harvest Dill (back to top)
The leaves can be harvested as needed from the plant throughout the growing season.
Gardening Advice Tip: Leaf production stops when the flowers appear.
If planning to harvest only the leaves (and not the seedheads), cut the herb down to about 2" from the ground once you see the flower head start to form. (It may regrow.) You can keep the cuttings in the fridge for several weeks.
Collect the seeds after they’ve ripened (when they turn brown). Cut off the flower heads, leaving a bit of stem attached to the flower head. Bunch a few of the flower stems together. Place a paper bag over the flower heads and secure to the stem bunch. Hang upside down in a warm, airy space to dry. (The bag catches any seeds that dislodge from the flowerheads.) To harvest once the seeds are dry, shake the bundle to further dislodge the remaining seeds.
Storage
How to Dehydrate / Dry Dill (back to top)
Spread the seeds or leaves out on a screen or tray to air-dry. (Using artificial heat to dehydrate will destroy the natural oils). Keep in mind that dill’s leaves don’t keep their flavor well when dried. Store the dried seeds or leaves in air tight bottles or containers. Don't use paper bags, as they'll absorb the herb's natural oils. Keep in a dark place (such as a cabinet).
How to Freeze Dill (back to top)
Freezing dill seems to be the best option in retaining the flavor of the leaves. Try chopping it and placing it in ice cube trays. Fill the trays with water and freeze. Then pop out the cubes and store in feezer bags or containers in your freezer. Use the cubes as needed in your cooking recipes.
Gardening Advice Tips (back to top)
Have a helpful gardening tip (or even a funny story) to share about your dill growing experience? Share it with us at: gardeningtips@howtogardenadvice.com
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