Dill is a perennial herb that is often used with pickles, soups, sauces, salads and stews. In addition to being delicious, she is easy to grow indoors or in the garden, making her a great addition to any garden. To grow this pungent-tasting herb in no time, all you need is a sunny environment, slightly acidic soil that drains well.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Planting the Dill Seeds
Step 1. Choose a spot that receives 6-8 hours of direct light per day
If you are unfamiliar with the lighting conditions in your garden, observe the position of the shadows for a full day of sunshine, then choose the sunniest spot for planting.
- Dill spreads on its own, producing seeds from which new plants will grow, so choose a spot where you want to grow this species for years to come.
- If there isn't an area in your garden that gets 6-8 hours of sunshine a day, plant dill in the sunniest spot possible. This plant can tolerate shade, but won't grow as bushy.
Step 2. Use litmus paper to measure the acidity of the soil
Place the paper in the ground, then compare it to a chart to evaluate the pH of the soil. Dill grows best in a slightly acidic environment, so the ideal pH is around 5.8-6.5. Change the pH of the soil if necessary.
- If your soil is too acidic, you can increase its pH by adding limestone dust.
- If the soil is too alkaline, you can add aluminum sulfate.
Step 3. Add aged compost to the garden before planting dill
This plant grows best in soil that drains well and by adding compost to the garden you avoid the formation of puddles. However, if the soil is not of the highest quality, don't worry; dill prefers poor and sandy soil.
You can make compost yourself using leftover food or you can buy it at a nursery or garden store
Step 4. Plant the seeds directly in the soil from April to May
It is best to do this once the risk of frost has passed. Plant them about half an inch deep and 45 cm apart, then rake the soil over the seeds.
- The best time to plant varies based on the climate in your area and the date of the last spring frost.
- Since dill doesn't tolerate travel well, it's best to plant it directly in the ground where you plan to grow it.
- If you don't have a lot of space or if you prefer to grow dill at home, plant the seeds directly in a pot that is at least 30 cm in diameter. Place it in a spot where the plant can receive 5-6 hours of direct light per day.
Step 5. Plant more seeds every 3-4 weeks to always harvest fresh produce
If you want to continue enjoying fresh dill all summer and fall, continue sowing new seedlings every few weeks, until about 90 days after the first frost.
If you don't think you'll need a lot of dill all together, start with just a few seeds, then add more after a few weeks, and so on. This way, you will avoid having too big a harvest for your needs
Part 2 of 3: Caring for Dill
Step 1. Allow the soil to dry almost completely before watering
Dill does not like too much water; however, you shouldn't let the soil dry out completely, otherwise the plant may die. Check the soil every day, rubbing some between your fingers. Water when it starts to feel dry.
If you water the dill too much, it can turn yellow
Step 2. Prune the seedlings about 2 weeks after they emerge from the ground
Once the dill is planted, the sprouts will appear after about 10-14 days. Another 10-14 days later, weed out the seedlings so that you have only 1 every 30-45cm. Select the strongest shoots to hold and pluck out any that seem weak or damaged to you.
- By pulling out the shoots, you make sure that the plants have enough space to grow.
- You will be able to easily weed out the sprouts with your hands.
Step 3. Cut off the top of the plant when it reaches 20 cm
Use a sharp pair of pruning shears to remove the 5-7.5cm of the plant that is higher up. This helps direct nutrients outward, instead of upward. As a result, you will stimulate the plant to develop more leaves and grow bushy.
By pruning the top of the plant, you also prevent it from becoming so heavy at the top that it cannot bear its own weight
Step 4. Fertilize the plants only once, in late spring
The best product for dill is a 15-5-10 mix, which contains 15% nitrogen, 5% phosphorus and 10% potassium. Use 1 kg per 20 m2 of land in your garden.
You can find 15-5-10 fertilizer at many garden stores
Step 5. Detach the first flowers that appear to prolong the growth of the leaves
Dill tastes best before flowering. Increase the useful life of this herb by eliminating the first flowers that appear.
You should be able to pluck the delicate flowers by hand, but you can use a pair of scissors if you prefer
Step 6. Remove the pests from the plant with your hands
Dill resists disease well, but can be attacked by tomato caterpillars or swallowtail caterpillars (Papilio macaon), which are often found in gardens. If you see these insects on your dill plants, just remove them with your hands.
- These insects don't bite, but if you don't like the idea of picking them up, you can wear a pair of gardening gloves.
- Swallowtail caterpillars are black, yellow, and white, with a combination of spots and stripes, as well as yellow or orange horns.
- Caterpillars of tomatoes have segmented bodies and legs that resemble suckers.
Step 7. Eliminate any weeds that sprout
Weeds can absorb nutrients from the soil, which dill needs to grow well. Every time you water the plants, notice the presence of weeds and weed them out by hand or with a special tool.
Step 8. Support the plants if they start to lean or if the wind is very strong
Dill has a tall, thin stem, which breaks easily if not supported. Tie the stems to a stake with string if they don't feel strong enough or if the weather is coming.
- If you don't have stakes to put in the garden, you can tie the dill to a small stick or branch.
- As the plant grows, tie it in more places as needed.
- Due to the lower lighting, pot-grown dill has a tendency to be taller and thinner than outdoor-grown dill, so tie it to a stake if needed.
Part 3 of 3: Collecting and Storing Dill
Step 1. Tear off fresh dill leaves as you need them during the growing season
For the best flavor, you shouldn't harvest them more than 90 days after planting, but you can use them as soon as they appear. Whenever you need dill for a recipe, simply cut the leaves off the plant with shears, as close to the stem as possible.
Usually, home-grown dill is ready to use after about 8 weeks
Step 2. Collect the seeds by cutting the flowers 2-3 weeks after they bloom
If you want to harvest the seeds from dill, wait for it to bloom, then wait a couple of weeks to give the seeds a chance to develop. Once you have taken the seeds, place the part of the flower that contains them in paper or plastic bags and let them dry for a couple of weeks. The seeds will detach on their own when ready to use.
Dried dill seeds are often used in making pickles, as well as for flavoring soups and stews
Step 3. Keep fresh leaves in the refrigerator for up to 7 days
To preserve the aroma of freshly picked dill leaves, fold them in a damp paper towel, which you will place in a plastic bag. For best results, place the bag in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator.
You can also store the fresh leaves in a freezer-safe container where they can stay for a year
Step 4. Store the dried leaves and dill seeds in an airtight container
Dried herbs, including seeds, can always be used, although the aroma will begin to fade over time.
The best options for storing dry dill include airtight plastic bags or jars with vacuum lids
Advice
- The bouquet variety of dill is very common for gardens, while the superdukat variety has a very intense aroma.
- Plant dill next to cabbage or onions to stimulate growth, but keep it away from carrots, which slow it down.
