Dill
Anethum graveolens · Carrot family (Apiaceae)
| Hardiness zones | 2 to 11 |
|---|---|
| Sun | full sun |
| Water | moderate |
| Life cycle | annual |
| Frost | Half-hardy: takes a light frost |
| Soil pH | 5.5–6.5 |
| Spacing | 9 inches |
| Days to harvest | 42 to 56 days |
About Dill
Dill is a tall, feathery annual grown for its leaves (dill weed) and its seeds, which are classic for pickling. Its flat flower heads draw bees, hover flies and small wasps, and it is a host plant for black swallowtail caterpillars.
An annual that can be grown in every zone (NC State lists 2-11); plants often reseed themselves.
When to plant
Timing is counted from your average last spring frost (and first fall frost). Sow & Tell works out the actual dates for your ZIP code.
- Sow seeds outdoors: 1 to 2 weeks before the last frost
Days to harvest count from sowing. Sow seed about 1/4 inch deep, since it needs light to sprout, a week or two before the last frost; seedlings appear in 7-21 days. Dill has a long taproot and transplants poorly, so sow it where it will grow, and resow every 4-6 weeks.
Soil
Well-drained loam or sandy soil of moderate fertility; overwatering invites powdery mildew.
Follow a soil test and work any fertilizer it calls for into the top 6 inches; add no more than 1 inch of well-rotted compost per 100 sq ft. A pH of 5.5 to 6.5 is ideal.
Feeding
Dill does not need rich soil; no extra feeding is needed if the soil was amended at planting.
Harvest
Clip leaves any time after seedlings are up, most heavily 6 to 8 weeks after sowing. For seed, cut the heads once they turn golden brown and dry them upside down in a paper bag.
Clip leaves any time after seedlings are up, cutting at the stem or a few inches above the ground. Plants soon flower and go to seed, so sow every 4 to 6 weeks for a steady supply of leaves; cut seed heads when they turn brown.
Varieties (14)
Extension sources document 14 dill cultivars.
| Variety | Type | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hera | Bunching leaf type | Bunching dill that bolts later than many varieties. | |
| Ella | Compact leaf type | Short, dense plant suited to containers. | |
| Monia | Compact leaf type | Compact plant suited to containers. | |
| Vierling | Cut-flower type | Blue-green foliage and strong stems; its flower heads are sold as cut flowers. | |
| Fernleaf | Dwarf leaf type | 65 days | Blue-green leaves with fine flavor. Dwarf plant about 12-18 inches tall with extra-fine foliage; one of the slowest dills to bolt, good for pots and small spaces. |
| Dukat | Leaf (dill weed) type | 65 days | Very aromatic, strong-flavored leaves. Heavier, finely textured foliage and later flowering than 'Bouquet'; slow to bolt, so leaf harvest lasts longer. |
| SuperDukat | Leaf (dill weed) type | Strong flavor and high oil content. An improved form of 'Dukat'. | |
| Delikat | Leaf type | Dense foliage for heavy leaf harvests. | |
| Green Sleeves | Leaf type | Good for fresh dill and resistant to bolting. | |
| Tetra | Leaf type | Bushy, slow-bolting plant grown for dill weed. | |
| Bouquet | Standard (seed and leaf) | 65 days | Leaves have a strong flavor. Usually 2-3 feet tall with blue-green leaves and large seed heads; also popular as a cut flower. |
| Hercules | Tall leaf type (tetraploid) | Bred for foliage and slow to bolt; can reach 5 feet in good conditions. | |
| Long Island Mammoth | Tall seed type | Tall plant with sparse green leaves and big flower heads on several stalks. | |
| Mammoth | Tall seed type | 65 days | Tall plant, 2-3 feet, with sparse foliage; bolts fast and makes large seed heads. |
Pests to watch for
Aphids, Carrot rust fly
Diseases and problems
Powdery mildew
In the kitchen
Leaves, seeds and flowers are all edible and are used in pickles, fish dishes, sauces and teas.
Keeping it: Use fresh dill soon after cutting. Dry seed heads in a paper bag and store the seeds in a sealed jar.
Pets: Not listed as toxic by the ASPCA
Sources
Photo: Photo: JLPC / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0). Photo resized for the web.
Planting dates and advice are general guidance; check with your local Cooperative Extension office for your area.