You want to grow dill at home but you have no idea how.
Growing your own herbs is a great way to save money and experiment with new flavors in the kitchen. Dill is one of those versatile plants that can be used for both cooking and medicinal purposes, so it’s definitely worth growing! It also makes an attractive addition to any garden or patio.
Desire: If you’re looking for a simple herb plant that doesn’t require much maintenance, then dill might just be the perfect choice for you! With our step-by-step guide on how to grow dill easily at home, you won’t need anything else but some seeds and soil. We even provide tips on harvesting your first batch of fresh leaves before summer ends!
Dill (Anethum graveolens)
When is the best time of the year to plant Dill
The best time of year to plant Dill is April through May, after all the danger of frost has passed. Dill is a warm-season crop and will not tolerate frost.
You can plant Dill in Zone 9 and 10 where you have mild weather all year long. In other zones, it is best to grow Dill as an annual because of its frost sensitivity. Dill plants will go to seed quickly if the weather goes below 60 degrees F. As a general rule, 1 inch of root growth occurs per week at 50 degrees F.
Dill plants are also susceptible to root rot, so moisture needs to be carefully monitored during the summer months. Dill is a tall plant that will need support as it becomes heavy with seed. Use tree stakes and twine at planting time. Staking can continue over the entire growing season if needed for sturdiness.
Where in the Garden Should You Plant Dill
When planting dill, it’s important to choose the right spot in your garden. Dill grows best in full sun and in soil that is fertile, moist, and well-drained. If you’re not sure where to plant dill, here are a few ideas:
- Plant dill near your vegetable garden to help repel pests.
- Plant dill near your herb garden to help keep pests away from other plants.
- Plant dill near your flower garden to help attract beneficial insects.
When growing dill in your garden, it’s important to know that dill needs a lot of room to grow. Dill seeds should be planted about 1 inch deep and about 6 inches apart in your garden. Planting too many seeds too close together could result in “weeds” growing among your dill plants. This can reduce the number of essential nutrients available for your dill plants.
How Often Should I Watering Dill
Dill is a very easy herb to grow, and it doesn’t require a lot of water. However, dill will not grow well if the soil is dry. So make sure to water it regularly, especially during the summer months when the weather is hot and dry.
If you are growing dill in a pot, then it will require regular watering. If you are planting the dill in your garden, then it may be better to water it with a drip hose instead of using sprinklers. This will help ensure that the soil stays moist.
Dill does not like standing water, so make sure any excess water is drained away from its roots after you have watered it. You can do this by creating a small ditch around the plant or by planting it in a raised bed. Fertilizing dill is not necessary, but you can give it a light feeding every few months with a balanced fertilizer.
When and How to Harvest Dill
Dill is a biennial herb that can be harvested in late summer to early fall. The best time to harvest dill is when the plant is about 6-8 inches tall, approximately four inches wide, and has enough leaves to have sturdy stems. Harvesting earlier than four inches will result in smaller stems and harvesting later will result in much taller plants with weaker stems.
When harvesting dill, cut off the stems at the base to get a clean harvest. After cutting, wash, and drying your harvested dill to get rid of any soil or debris that may be stuck in between the leaves. It is best to harvest in the morning when it is still cool outside because the heat from the sun can cause herbs to wilt.
When harvesting dill, it is important to know that once harvested the plant’s taproot will need to be removed. Remove the taproot by digging up and around one side of the plant until you can see where the stem meets its upper leaves. Use a sharp knife and cut as close as possible to remove this portion of the plant. After removing the taproot, trim all of the leaves off to a length of 1-2 inches and place them in a cool dark space to dry out.
Different Ways to Store Dill
There are a few ways to store dill. One way is to store it in a plastic bag in the fridge. Another way is to freeze it. You can either freeze it whole or chop it up first. Here is how to freeze dill.
First, make sure your dill is completely dry. Next, break each stem at the bottom where it snaps easily. Then put them in a freezer bag leaving about an inch of room at the top for expansion. I doubled up my freezer bags because one was not enough to hold all of my dills. Lastly, remove as much air from the freezer bags as possible and seal them.
Now it’s ready to be stored in a safe place until you are ready to use it.
Other things of interest about Dill
- Dill is a common name for the plant
- Dill has been used as an herb since ancient times
- The dill weed or leaf can be mixed with water into a paste that is applied to the skin to relieve itchiness from insect bites, sunburn, small scratches, and sores.
- Dilled Alaska salmon mayonnaise is found in some parts of North America.
- Dill was a common plant to grow in gardens during the Middle Ages.
- Dill is a popular herb in Scandinavian cuisine.
- The dill seed is used as a spice in some Indian and Middle Eastern dishes.
- Dill oil has a sweet, anise-like flavor and is sometimes used as a flavoring agent in food products.
- Dill is believed to have carminative properties, meaning it helps to expel gas from the gastrointestinal tract.
- Dill may help to stimulate appetite and is sometimes used as a natural remedy for upset stomachs and diarrhea.
Conclusion: Growing your own herbs is a great way to save money and experiment with new flavors in the kitchen. Dill is one of those versatile plants that can be used for both cooking and medicinal purposes, so it’s definitely worth growing! It also makes an attractive addition to any garden or patio.