Dill

Growing Guide

This aromatic annual can be grown for its seeds or its rich, aniseed flavoured foliage. The feathery dill leaves make an attractive addition to a sunny herb garden. Dill is tolerant of most conditions and requires little maintenance.

Direct sow dill seeds outdoors from April to July into well prepared soil in full sun. Sow seeds thinly into drills 1cm deep and 15cm apart. Thin seedlings to 30cm apart when largen enough to handle. Make regular sowings for a successional harvest.



To begin the harvest a little earlier Dill can also be sown indoors in March on the surface of a free draining, damp seed compost. Cover with a fine sprinkling of vermiculite and place in a propagator, or seal container inside a polythene bag until after germination. Do not exclude light as this will aid germination. When large enough to handle, thin out seedlings to 5cm apart. Gradually acclimatise plants to outdoor conditions over 7 – 10 days before planting outdoors , spaced 30cm apart, on well drained soil in full sun when all risk of frost has passed.

TOP TIPS

Dill seed has a variety of uses both in the kitchen and in the garden. In the kitchen dill seed can be a flavorful seasoning for any soups and stews as well as pickled vegetables. The most effective way to save dill seeds is to let the plants themselves dry out in the garden. Let your dill plants produce their beautiful yellow blooms, then simply wait. Your dill plants will be ready to have seeds collected when they are brown and dry.