Grow Guide to Dill

Plant Description

Dill is a feathery, aromatic herb known for its delicate, thread-like leaves and distinctive flavor. Its tall, slender stems produce clusters of yellow flowers that attract beneficial insects.

Popular in culinary uses, Dill is often added to pickles, fish dishes, and salads. It also has medicinal properties, traditionally used for digestion and relaxation.

Quick Facts

  • Sunlight: Full sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight daily).
  • Days to Sprout: 10–20 days.
  • Days to Maturity: 50–60 days for leaves, 90 days for seeds.
  • Plant Spacing: 10–12 inches apart.
  • Seeds per Hole: 2 seeds per planting hole, thinning to the strongest seedling.
  • Plant Type: Annual (may reseed and return the following season).
  • Planting Depth: ¼ inch deep.

Best Planting Locations

  • Vegetable Gardens: Dill thrives in traditional garden beds alongside vegetables.
  • Containers: Grows well in deep pots with good drainage.
  • Herb Gardens: Pairs well with other herbs such as chives and basil.

Getting Started

  1. Direct Sow: Dill grows best when directly seeded in its final location.
  2. Choose Light, Well-Drained Soil: Prefers sandy or loamy soil.
  3. Provide Full Sun: Needs 6–8 hours of direct light daily.

Companion / Enemy Plants

Good Companion Plants: Cucumbers, lettuce, onions, brassicas.

Avoid Planting Near: Carrots (can cross-pollinate), tomatoes (can stunt growth).

Attractants / Repellents

Attracts: Bees, butterflies, beneficial insects.

Repels: Aphids and spider mites.

When to Plant

  • Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last frost.
  • In warmer climates, plant in fall for a winter harvest.

Maintenance

  • Watering: Water moderately; prefers slightly dry conditions.
  • Fertilizing: Does not require heavy feeding; light compost is sufficient.
  • Pruning: Remove flower heads to extend leaf production.

Harvest

  • Harvest leaves when the plant is 8–12 inches tall.
  • For seeds, allow flowers to mature and dry before collecting.

Uses

  • Culinary: Used fresh in salads, pickling, and seasoning fish.
  • Medicinal: Traditionally used to aid digestion and relieve bloating.
  • Companion Planting: Helps repel pests and attract pollinators.

How to Store

  • Refrigeration: Store fresh dill in a damp paper towel inside a sealed container.
  • Drying: Hang stems upside down in a dry, dark place.
  • Freezing: Chop and freeze in ice cube trays with water or oil.