How to Grow, Plant, and Harvest Dill
Botanically known as Anethum graveolens, dill goes far back to ancient times being used as a culinary herb and for medical purposes. In ancient times soldiers would apply dill seeds to wounds for healing.
The Greeks use dill as a symbol of wealth, the Romans used dill leaves in the wreaths they made to honor heroes and athletes and also believed that dill brought good fortune. The ancient Egyptians used dill as a soothing medicine, to ward off witches and also used in aphrodisiacs.
Dill belongs to the family Apiaceae and is native to the Mediterranean region, Western Africa, and southern Russia. Dill is a self-seeding annual plant with green leaves that are feathery. For more on growing dill plants let’s take a closer look.
Dill Planting location
The ideal location when planting dill is in and area that gets the full sun.
Dill soil requirements and planting depth
A slightly acidic to neutral soil that is rich in organic matter will meet dill soil requirements. Sow dill seeds about 18 inches apart and at a depth of ¼-inch. Your dill seeds will sprout and emerge from the soil in about 2 weeks’ time or thereabout.
Dill water requirements
The soil should be kept evenly moist especially during the hotter or dry months however do not overwater or have soils that are soggy which can lead to plant decline.
Dill fertilizer requirements
In the late spring feeding your dill once with a 5-10-5 fertilizer will provide the needed nutrients. Fertilizers can be broadcast over the surface of the planting bed.
Mulching dill
Hay, straw, or chopped leaves is ideal for mulching dill, shredded paper or chopped leaves should be mixed with peat moss to avoid a crust from forming preventing water from getting to the roots.
Growing dill in a pot
A pot 8- to 12-inches-in diameter and 12-inch deep is ideal, the pot should have drain holes for water drainage. Good soil is ideal, once you have placed the potting soil in the pot leave about three inches from the top free of the potting soil.
Sprinkle about 4 dill seeds on the potting soil surface, the seeds should next be covered with ¼-inch of potting soil. Place the pot in an area that is free from heavy winds but gets a least 6 hours of sunlight. The seeds should be kept moist at all times.
Germination should take place in about 7 days to 10 days, once the seedlings reach 4 t0 6 inches tall thin the pot back to one plant. The soil should be evenly moist not waterlogged, every 4 weeks fertilizer your dill plants with a balanced soluble fertilizer at half strength. Before fertilizing read the manufacturer’s label.
Growing dill indoors
Follow the above direction under growing dill in pots, the only difference is bringing the pot indoors and placing it in an area that gets 6 hours of sunlight. If natural indoor lighting is poor then providing artificial lighting will do just as well. Incandescent or Led grow lighting will work.
Dill garden insect pests
Keep an eye out for these garden insect pests.
- Aphids
- Cutworm
- Parsley worm
- Armyworm
Aphids
Aphids will pay your garden a visit seeking to make a meal out of your dill but what is great about dill is this herb has been known to attract lots of beneficial insects such as ladybugs, mealybug destroyer, green lacewings, braconid wasps, hoverflies, aphid midges and tachinid flies that will feed on aphids.
Cutworms
The larvae will feed on your dill plant, these pests are active during nighttimes but during the day hours if you dig in the soil they can be seen in a curled C-shape. The use of diatomaceous earth placed around dill will bring control.
Parsley worm
Parsley worms are known not to be that serious of a threat and can be handpicked however these worms will molt into black beautiful swallowtail butterflies.
Armyworm
The larva feeds heavily on the foliage and reproduces rapidly producing 3-5 generations in a single year. The use of Bacillus thuringiensis will bring control, read and follow the manufactures label.
Dill diseases
Dill has its share of disease but can be controlled with these methods.
- Powdery mildew
- Damping-off
- Downy mildew
- Cercospora leaf blight fungus
Powdery mildew
Powdery mildew appears as a white powdery substance on the leaves and the stalk. This fungal disease encourages distorted blossoms and chlorotic leaves. Moderate temperature and humid weather are favorable for this disease. Applying fungicides as a protective measure, avoid over-fertilizing, and applying sulfur early in the season when the disease is spotted will bring control.
Damping-off
Damping-off which is encouraged by a fungus affects the seeds and the seedlings, seeds rot or the seedlings that germanates but then rots and dies. These fungal spores can spread by infected tools, soil, and water.
To avoid this disease, use a good quality seed stock, don’t plant in poorly drained soil, planting in a raised bed will aid in drainage.
Downy mildew
Symptoms of downy mildew include yellow spots on the foliage followed by a growth on the underside of the leaves that is fluffy and white. As this disease persists the yellow spots begin to darken, this disease is encouraged by leaves that are constantly wet. Avoid overcrowding plants, crop rotation, and using disease-free seeds will discourage downy mildew.
Cercospora leaf blight fungus
Cercospora leaf blight fungus appears as small flecks which develop a yellowish halo that appears on the leaves turning brown. The infected leaves will eventually wither and die, crop rotation, the use of disease-free seeds, the use of fungicides, and removing crop debris will bring control.
Harvesting dill
Once dill produces 4-5 leaves you can begin to harvest, with a successor harvest the older leaves or remove pinching.
How to dry dill?
Dill can be dried by hanging upside down in a bundle, this process should take about 1-2 weeks. Once the herbs feel crispy or crumble when a little pressure is applied is another sign that dill is dry.
How to store dill?
When the leaves are completely dry crush or crumble place in a tightly concealed container jar in a dark cool area. Dill can last up to 4-6 months.
The final word on growing dill plants
There you have it in a nutshell growing dill is that easy to grow, care for, and harvest so if you are interested in a herb that is worth the investment then the dill plant is the herb for you. Give dill a try in your home garden you will be so happy that you did.
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About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.
Wow , this article was really educative and also a huge eye opener as well, I really enjoyed reading every bit of it and I learnt a whole lot from it. Growing fill plants is really an interesting and fun thing to do. I would do it in the near future Thank you so much for sharing this amazing piece here, and I would like to know if there is any way I can subscribe so as to get your articles immediately you drop it
Hello I am so happy to help and thanks so much for those kind words. Dill is and amazing herb to grow from your home garden. To subscribe just scroll to the bottom of the page and you will see the signup box. gardenofedengardencenter.com
I recently purchased dill from my local grocery store. As I was chopping the dill I had wondered if I could regrow the plant. You know in a similar fashion as you regrow green onions.
I would assume that I can’t because, all the roots were cut off of the dill.
Anyhow, I didn’t know that if you were growing plants in doors, an Led grow light could help with plants that don’t receive too much light.
I recently purchased a lemon thyme plant and mint plant. Both of the plants seem to be dying. I certainly need help growing those plants. I have them indoors with very little light. Just today, I moved them in front of a window. So hopefully that helps. If not maybe I need to invest in an indoor led light. Do you know a great place to get one?
Either way, I had no idea that dills can become diseased. By the way, I think I’ve seen that powdery mildew. The soil of my mint plant has like white lint looking stuff. Is that the powdery mildew that your referring too?
I believe that’s what is going on right now with one of my plants. Is there a way to cure the plant from the disease besides a raised bed?
I don’t’ have a raised flower bed. My plants are in the house. Do you know what I can do in this situation? Before, learning to plant my own food, and plants. I never thought about random pests appearing…lol. I guess I just never thought it all out.
Anyhow, I’ve also seen pests in my compost, outdoor plants, and indoor plans, which has me learning more about DIY Pest Control. You’ve gained a new reader. Thanks, Norman I’ve learned a lot today. Have a great day!
Hello, the cuttings of dill will root in water, and then transplanted into pots or containers in 2-3 weeks’ time. Yes, there are grow lights that can be purchased to grow plants indoors. These lights can be purchase from your hardware store or garden center.
You may have a fungus condition because of overwatering your plant, you may need to decrease the amount of water your plant is receiving. Once you meet your plants watering needs your plants will be fine. The best way to move forward is that when every you purchase a plant or before you purchase find about that plant requirements and once you meet those requirements your plants will be healthy.
Well as I said even when growing indoor plants just find about the care such as light, water, fertilizer needs along with humidity issues meet the plant’s needs and you will be alright. I am so happy to help and thanks so much for your kind words. Wishing you the best of garden success. Have a good day!!
Hello, Dill is one of my favorite herbs, cooking is my passion and my husband is from Middle East, so i use Dill regularly in my meals, either on rice, stews and salads, Dill has a great pleasure and I’m pretty sure it has great health benefits.
This Article gives me an idea of start growing Dill in my garden, since the weather in NY is very drastic, either too hot or too cold, i might get the idea, during the winter to grow dill in pots and put them in my basement.
Thank you!
Hello, it is so good to hear you are taking advantage of this herb, Growing dill in a container is smart gardening because you can move the container around to protect dill from the extrem heat and cold. Wishing you much success with your garden project.