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How to grow dill from seeds


Growing dill in home gardens

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A quick guide to dill

Dill, Anethum graveolens, is a tender annual in the carrot family (Apiaceae). It is native to Asia Minor and the Mediterranean region. The tall, leggy plant is popular for pickling, but you may also use the foliage and seeds in soups, salads, breads, party dips and fish dishes. In cut flower arrangements, floral designers value dill as a feathery green filler.

Soil pH and fertility

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Planting

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Harvesting

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Jill MacKenzie and Shirley Mah Kooyman

Reviewed in 2018

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How to Plant and Grow Dill

Anethum graveolens

The smell of dill takes me straight to my happy place: Mediterranean-style meals, warm spring days, and soft feathery plants.

Life doesn’t get much better than that does it?

Luckily, those of us who love this aromatic herb don’t have to rely on the market for a fresh supply, as we can easily grow our own.

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I’ll take you through every step in the process of growing this wonderfully ornamental and tasty plant.

And so you know what lies ahead, here’s what I’ll cover:

What You’ll Learn

Cultivation and History

If dill makes you think of tasty Mediterranean dishes like it does for me, there’s a reason for that.

While its exact origin is not entirely certain, this herb is likely native to the Mediterranean region and western Asia – places where it is widely used in the local cuisine.

These days, it easily naturalizes in other locations with Mediterranean-type climates, such as California.

But it also escapes cultivation and grows like a weed in places with decidedly non-Mediterranean climates, such as the northeastern US.

Growing to a mature height of 3-4 feet tall on average, this annual plant has branching, hollow stems graced with soft, fern-like leaves.

These feathery leaves are a cool toned, bluish-green hue.

This herb holds its tiny yellow flowers up in a flattened cluster called an umbel, which is about six inches wide.

Although dill looks a lot like fennel, these two aromatic plants are in the same family, but are not as closely related as you might think.

In addition to fennel, dill has many other tasty and fragrant relatives, including caraway, parsley, anise, and cilantro.

These herbs and spices are all members of the Umbellifer (Apiaceae) family, so called because of their umbrella-shaped flower heads.

Dill’s genus name Anethum comes from the Greek word for this plant, which means “strong smelling.”

The English name refers not to its smell, but to its medicinal use.

The word “dill” is thought to have Norse origins, coming from a word that meant to lull or to soothe, referring to its reputation as a stomach soother.

But dill goes back even further in time than the Vikings, having been used as food and medicine for thousands of years.

The name anethum is mentioned in the Bible, and it was used as a flavoring in ancient Egypt, tracing its culinary use at least as far back as 5,000 years ago.

Like its cousin cilantro, both the foliage and the seeds of this plant are used culinarily.

The leaves are used as an herb referred to as dill weed, distinguishing it from its dried fruits, which you’ll find on spice racks labeled as dill seed.

Essential oils are extracted from both the seeds and the leaves, and are used by herbalists for medicinal purposes.

Remember the soothing origins of the English word for this plant?

Its medicinal use has been widespread, to treat gastrointestinal issues in Asian, European, and Native American traditional medicine, and the medicinal properties of various parts of this plant are still being studied today.

Modern research backs up its traditional use as a carminative, to reduce or prevent flatulence.

The essential oil from this herb has antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties, and it is even used to help preserve food in industrial food manufacturing.

In addition to culinary and medicinal uses, this plant also has a well-deserved place in ornamental gardens.

Its feathery foliage provides a soft backdrop for garden plants with contrasting textures, and its bright yellow flower heads add a wispy layer of color – both of which are useful in designing one’s own charming little cottage garden.

Propagation

With all those wonderful uses, you’re probably ready to start your own patch of homegrown dill!

There are a couple of things you should know before you get started.

The first is that it is a cool season herb that is hardy to 25°F, and can be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 2-11.

That means it is accessible to most of us North American gardeners, but is best grown in springtime – whenever spring happens to occur in your area!

You can sow seeds as soon as you can work your soil in the spring, provided temperatures don’t fall below 25°F.

The other thing you need to know before you plant this herb in your garden is that although it is an annual, it has a tendency to self-sow.

When seeds from mature plants fall on your garden soil, they are happy to grow into full sized plants next year without any help from you.

So if you plant this herb once, you may not need to plant it again.

This is even the case in my garden in northeast Utah where plants have to contend with extremely dry conditions, harsh wind, sub-zero winter temperatures, and short summers.

Since starting seeds a few years ago, I find volunteer dill plants scattered throughout my garden every year.

I consider this a boon instead of a problem since dill is one of my favorite herbs, and it seems I never have too much.

However, if free dill in future growing seasons doesn’t sound like something you want, I’ll make some recommendations on how to prevent these weedy volunteers a little later.

From Seed

The best way to plant this herb in your garden is to grow it from seed instead of setting out transplants.

This is because it has a long, sensitive taproot, joining a few other garden staples, like carrots and beets, that do not appreciate transplanting.

When dill is transplanted, it tends to immediately bolt –  that is, if it doesn’t simply die. So do yourself a favor and go the best route by planting this herb from seed.

When you’re ready to sow your seeds, here’s how to do it:

Just so you know, germination can take 10-14 days, or sometimes longer.

When the seedlings are a few inches tall, thin out the weaker ones so that there is one plant spaced every 4 inches.

And don’t forget to eat the thinned seedlings!

If you live in a dry climate like I do, growing your dill plants 4 inches apart will work great.

However, if you live in a more humid climate, leave 6 inches between each plant instead.

Providing plants with a little extra room will allow for better air circulation and help prevent disease, while still allowing you to maximize your harvest.

And despite its reputation, this herb is not an aggressive grower, so make sure to remove any weeds around your young seedlings.

How to Grow

Dill is pretty low maintenance as far as herbs go. It gives and gives, and it really doesn’t ask for too much in return.

But if you want it to give you all it’s got, do it a favor and provide it with the best possible growing conditions.

Sun

This herb grows best in a full sun location, with 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.

You can still grow dill if you’re working with part shade, but its stems will not be as sturdy, so you may need to stake it.

Another situation where staking can be helpful is if your area is prone to high winds.

In my garden, we frequently receive strong afternoon winds, and so far my dill plants – grown in full sun – have managed to remain upright without staking.

I think since they are trained from a young age to withstand these winds, they develop stronger stems as a result.

So consider your growing conditions and decide whether staking is prudent for your situation or not.

Soil

This herb’s main requirement is well-draining soil, with a slightly acidic pH of 5.6-6.5.

If you are starting with clay soil, work some compost into it, or consider growing in a raised bed or in containers.

Apart from requiring good drainage, dill is not very picky and can grow in poor soils, which is why it has such an easy time establishing itself without help from the gardener.

If you aren’t sure what type of soil you have, consider conducting a soil test through your local extension office to find out.

Water

Once established, this herb is fairly drought tolerant. Just make sure established plants receive about an inch of water per week.

And when watering, try to water at the soil level with a watering wand or drip irrigation lines.

Overhead watering, such as with sprinklers, can put your herb at a higher risk of infection since many fungal diseases thrive in wet conditions.

Fertilizer

As mentioned above, this herb will happily make itself at home in poor soil.

However, working an organic fertilizer such as well-composted manure or vermicompost into your soil will give you greater yields of both foliage and seeds – as well as more fragrant, tastier dill, thanks to an increase in essential oil content.

In my garden, I work well-composted sheep manure into my rows before sowing seeds. If you have a supply of comfrey in your garden, you can also fertilize with comfrey tea.

If neither of those options are available to you, you can feed your crop lightly with an all-purpose organic fertilizer.

Dr. Earth Home Grown Organic and Natural Tomato Vegetable and Herb Fertilizer

I recommend Dr. Earth Home Grown Organic and Natural Tomato, Vegetable and Herb Fertilizer, available at Nature Hills Nursery.

Growing Tips

This herb is pretty easy to grow – any plant that can self-seed so easily must be fairly flexible by nature.

But to help ensure a successful dill crop, here are a few more tips:

I mentioned earlier that dill self-seeds from one year to the next quite easily.

If you want to let this herb perpetuate itself, but not wherever it wants to, try sowing it into a dedicated bed and remove any seedlings that pop up elsewhere in your garden.

On the other hand, if you want to prevent self-seeding altogether, cut back flower heads while they are still yellow, to prevent mature seed from forming and potentially escaping into your garden.

These flower heads are extremely fragrant and can be used in cooking or in flower arrangements.

Cultivars to Select

Remember, this plant offers a variety of different uses – you can grow it for the foliage, for its seeds, or just for garden beautification.

Some cultivars are best suited to particular uses.

Some are slower to bolt, meaning you get a longer harvest of leaves. Others go to seed earlier, providing you with seed heads for cucumber pickling at an earlier date. And there are height variations as well.

Think about your preferred uses for this herb and choose your cultivars accordingly. Here are a few options:

Bouquet

‘Bouquet’ flowers early and produces an abundance of seeds. This is a great choice if you want a lot of fresh cut flowers or seeds to use in the kitchen.

This cultivar can grow to 24-36 inches tall at maturity and has a 4- to 8-inch spread.

‘Bouquet’

‘Bouquet’ is ready to harvest in 40-60 days.

Organic ‘Bouquet’ seeds are available for purchase in an assortment of packet sizes at Eden Brothers.

Elephant

‘Elephant’ is a late-flowering variety, which means you’ll have delicious fresh dill weed throughout more of the growing season.

This cultivar reaches 30-48 inches in height, and has a 16- to 24-inch spread.

‘Elephant’

‘Elephant’ comes to maturity in 60-90 days.

‘Elephant’ seeds are available in a variety of packet sizes at Eden Brothers.

Hera

‘Hera’ is considered a bunching dill, producing lots of fragrant foliage. It is slower to bolt than many varieties.

This cultivar is also on the smaller side, reaching 18-24 inches in height with a spread of 8-12 inches.

‘Hera’

‘Hera’ reaches maturity in 40-60 days.

Organic ‘Hera’ seeds are available for purchase in packs of 400 seeds from Burpee.

Want more options? Get even more of our favorite cultivar suggestions here.

Managing Pests and Disease

Luckily for lovers of this herb, dill tends to attract more friends than foes in the garden.

Deer don’t care for it, and most of the insects that are attracted to it are interested in feeding on the nectar from its flowers, not munching on its leaves.

However, this herb is prone to the same diseases and pests as its close relative caraway – you can learn more about these in our in-depth article on caraway diseases and pests.

There are a few insects you’ll want to look out for as well.

Insects

Generally, dill is more attractive to beneficial insects such as pollinators than problematic ones, making it a good companion to have in the garden.

Since some insects can spread disease, make sure you inspect your plants for the following unwanted pests:

Aphids

Aphids sometimes colonize this herb, and if they do, they can transmit viruses.

Your first defense in keeping an aphid problem in check is to inspect plants regularly.

Aphids on dill plant.

If you spot aphids on the foliage, wash them off with a strong jet of water from the hose to remove them.

To prevent aphids from setting up camp in your dill patch, work on attracting beneficial insects such as parasitic wasps, green lacewings, hoverflies, and ladybugs, all of which will prey on aphids and help keep populations in check.

Luckily, this herb attracts all of these beneficial insects.

But you’ll want them around before your dill blooms, so make sure you have other pollinator-friendly plants around to provide them with food and shelter throughout the gardening season.

Another way to prevent aphid problems is to use companion plants to repel them.

There are many research studies showing that alliums such as garlic and onions are effective at repelling various types of aphids to protect a wide variety of main crops – ranging from cereal crops in China to tomato crops in Zambia.

If aphids are a concern, try growing alliums with your dill.

Black Swallowtail Caterpillars

This herb is a host plant for black swallowtail caterpillars – which turn into black swallowtail butterflies.

Although it will nibble on your dill, many gardeners do not consider this caterpillar to be a pest.

Black swallowtail caterpillar

The caterpillar form has a few different stages – so before you squish any caterpillars you find on this plant, make sure you identify it properly.

Black swallowtails are also attracted to other members of the carrot family. The adult butterflies lay eggs on these plants, and when the eggs hatch, the caterpillars use them as food.

Most gardeners are willing to sacrifice a little dill to these guys if they show up, in exchange for the chance to view them flitting around in their beautiful mature form.

Black swallowtail butterfly and flowering dill

However, if needed, the caterpillars can be relocated. A stand of Queen Anne’s lace, another member of the carrot family, would be a good alternative, providing them appropriate food and shelter.

Root-Knot Nematodes

Root-knot nematodes – not to be confused with beneficial nematodes – also affect carrots, kale, and many other broadleaf plants you may be growing in your garden.

Above-ground signs of these pests can be difficult to recognize – plants may appear stunted, or may wilt for no apparent reason.

Pulling up the plant will reveal knots on the roots, thus the name of this pest.

To manage an existing problem, try solarizing your soil to kill the pests, or giving the problem area a break from veggie growing and instead grow a cover crop of marigolds in the infested area.

You can learn more about dill pests and how to treat them in our dedicated article – coming soon!

Disease

In keeping with its easygoing nature, this herb isn’t particularly prone to disease.

Most diseases can be prevented by making sure you don’t grow these plants in overly wet or humid conditions. Don’t overwater, provide well-drained soil, and allow adequate spacing between plants to encourage airflow.

Dill affected by powdery mildew

Generally, gardeners in humid climates are more likely to have problems with disease than those in arid climates.

Here are some of the diseases that can affect this plant:

To learn more about managing diseases in dill plants, make sure to consult our article on this topic – coming soon!

Harvesting

Hopefully, your dill-growing adventure will take you straight to harvest time with no pest or disease issues. This is usually the case.

When your plants reach maturity, you will have the choice of harvesting either the foliage or the seeds from this aromatic plant – or both!

Dill Weed

Your dill weed harvest can begin as soon as your seedlings are a few inches tall.

Harvesting leaves will encourage the plants to grow bushier and will help to delay flowering – this is important if you’re more interested in leaves than seeds.

Young leaves contain the most aromatic oils and are therefore the tastiest. So don’t wait for them to get bigger, go ahead and harvest the leaves regularly as it grows.

To harvest the leaves, simply pinch the stems off with your fingers – or use a pair of garden scissors.

Just make sure not to defoliate the plant – take no more than 1/4 to 1/3 of the leaves from each plant at harvest time.

This herb needs to keep some of its leaves so that it will be able to photosynthesize and continue to grow.

And keep in mind that leaves taste best when they are freshly picked.

So, during the growing season, harvest your herb just before you’re going to use it rather than picking lots at once and storing it in the fridge.

Another good time to harvest is right after flower buds form – that’s when new leaves will be the most aromatic.

At this point you can also cut the flower heads back to encourage your plant to keep producing foliage.

Or, you can let your plant go to seed, in which case it will direct its energy away from foliage production to seed production.

Dill Seeds

If you want to expand your homegrown spice collection, planting dill is an easy way to get started.

Let your plants flower and go to seed, but keep your eye on the flower heads as the seeds develop – when they turn tan colored, it’s time for action.

Cut off the umbel and place it in a paper bag.

As they dry, the seed heads will shatter and drop their seeds. By collecting them in a paper bag, you can maximize the number of seeds collected. If you allow them to dry on the plant, the seeds will drop off and fall onto your garden soil.

Set the paper bag aside in a warm, well-ventilated spot to let the seed head continue drying out.

Alternatively, you can also spread seed heads on a window screen to let them finish drying.

To test if your seeds are dry, try pressing your fingernail into a few of them. If the seeds bend, they are not ready yet. If they break or shatter, that is a sign that they are nice and dry.

When seeds are thoroughly dry, store them in a small spice jar and place it – with pride – on your spice rack.

And you may want to package some to add to your seed collection for sowing next year too!

Preserving

Don’t wash the herbs until you are ready to use them.

You can store fresh leaves in the fridge. Place them in a plastic bag at 32-41°F and you can expect your harvest to keep for 1-3 weeks.

Like basil, dill is at its best when fresh. However, if you want to preserve some for later, drying and freezing are great ways to create a stash for yourself for the cold months when your garden is at rest.

My preferred way to preserve this herb is to mince it, place it in a small ramekin, cover with oil, put the lid on the ramekin, and then store it in the freezer.

I find that dill preserved in this way is nearly as good as when it is enjoyed fresh from the garden – and what a nice surprise it makes when I’m digging through the freezer looking for meal ideas. It can be used in a similar way to pesto, if you want to add some minced garlic and chopped toasted nuts.

You can read more about freezing fresh herbs here.

To dehydrate this herb, wash it first , and use a paper towel to pat the foliage dry. If you have a dehydrator, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for drying herbs.

You can also dry this herb at room temperature or in the oven. Store the dried herb in a cool, dry location in a jar with a lid.

Learn more about drying and storing herbs in our full guide.

Recipes and Cooking Ideas

Although pickles may be the first thing that comes to mind when you start mulling over your options, why not return to its Mediterranean origins for the most enticing cooking ideas?

Dill is one of the star ingredients in the traditional Greek cucumber and yogurt dish, tzatziki. You can find the recipe for a deliciously creamy tzatziki over at our sister site, Foodal.

Photo by Lorna Kring.

And to go with your tzatziki, how about pan-fried potatoes sprinkled with dill and minced garlic? That’s another dish that will have you feeling as though you are steps away from turquoise Mediterranean waters.

Or if your culinary daydreams take a wintery turn, you might consider sprinkling it on top of a warming bowl of borscht.

But don’t just stick to the tried and true – this herb is also a welcome ingredient with unexpected pairings.

Fresh dill brightens up the earthier ingredients in this scrumptious recipe on our sister site Foodal for brussels sprouts with bacon and fennel seed.

You can also try using this herb to make a chicken soup feel light and fresh.

And of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t bring this conversation back around to our beloved pickles.

Photo by Fanny Slater.

Have you ever made fermented dill pickles from scratch? If not, now’s the time to give it a try. You’ll find a recipe for lacto-fermented garlic dill pickles also on Foodal.

If that sounds great, but a bit too complicated for you at your current energy level, why not enjoy it as a simple herbal tea?

Just boil some hot water, place some fresh dill leaf or a flower head in your mug, and you’ll have your own homemade tummy-soothing infusion to enjoy.

Quick Reference Growing Guide

Plant Type:Annual, self-sowingWater Needs:Moderate
Native to:Mediterranean, western AsiaMaintenance:Low
Hardiness (USDA Zone):2-11Soil Type:Average to poor
Season:Summer-fallSoil pH:5.6-6.5
Exposure:Full sunSoil Drainage:Well-draining
Time to Maturity:40-90 daysCompanion Planting:Garlic, onions, leeks, soybeans
Spacing:4-6 inchesAvoid Planting With:Carrots, fennel, caraway, cumin
Planting Depth:1/8 inch, surfaceAttracts:Bees, parasitic wasps, green lacewings, hoverflies, ladybugs, black swallowtail butterflies
Height:8-48 inchesFamily:Apiaceae
Spread:4-24 inchesGenus:Anethum
Tolerance:Light frostSpecies::graveolens
Common Pests:Aphids, armyworms, chalcid flies, cutworms, root knot nematodesCommon Disease:Carrot motley dwarf, carrot redleaf virus, carrot mottle virus, cercospora leaf blight, damping off, downy mildew, powdery mildew, root rot

A Soothing Seasoning

Well, gardener, now that you have completed your education in all things dill, you could probably use a mug of that soothing and refreshing dill tea right about now. I know I’m ready for one!

Do you have any of your own dill-growing tips or recipes to share? If so, please let us know in the comments below!

And for more information about growing your own herbs and spices, check out some of dill’s fragrant relatives next:

Photos by Lorna Kring and Fanny Slater © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Product photos via Burpee, Eden Brothers, and Nature Hills Nursery. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock.

planting and care in the open field, growing on the windowsill

Herbaceous annual plant dill (Anethum) is a member of the monotypic genus of the Umbelliferae family. This genus is represented by garden dill, or odorous. Under natural conditions, such a plant can be found in the southwestern or central regions of Asia, in northern Africa and in the Himalayas. And this species is cultivated in all countries. Already in ancient Egypt, people knew about the existence of dill, but such a plant began to be used as a spice in European countries only in the 16th century. Today, this plant, which is characterized by unpretentiousness and frost resistance, is in great demand both in medicine and in cooking. nineOl000 indoors

  • 4.3 How to water
  • 4.4 Fertilizer
  • 5 Growing dill outdoors
    • 5.1 Care instructions
    • 5.2 How to water
    • 5.3 Feeding of dill
    • 5.4 How and when to collect dill seeds
    • 5.5 What can be grown after dill
  • 6 Pests and Diseases of Dill with photos and names 9000,9000 6.1 Diseases of dill
  • 6.2 Disgiates of dill
    • dill0007 8.1 Useful properties of dill
  • 8.2 Contraindications

    • Brief description of cultivation

    1. Planting . It is necessary to sow dill seeds in open soil in early spring, then it can be sown every 15 days. If dill is grown indoors, then it can be sown at any time. Bush dill seeds are sown for seedlings in March, and transplanted into open soil after 4 weeks or so.
    2. Illumination . Shaded or sunny area.
    3. Primer . Well fertilized loose neutral soil.
    4. Watering . It is necessary to water often, on hot days 2 times a day, while 2-3 buckets of water are taken per 1 square meter of the site.
    5. Fertilizer . If dill is grown in pre-fertilized soil, it does not need to be fed. Nitrogen-containing fertilizers must be applied to depleted soil, for this, fermented nettle infusion is used. nine0008
    6. Reproduction . Generative (seed) method.
    7. Harmful insects . Umbrella blinds, Italian bugs (striped shield insects), carrot psyllids and flies, gourds, willow-carrot and carrot aphids.
    8. Diseases . Black leg, powdery mildew, fusarium, phomosis, cercosporosis and rust.

    Features of dill

    Dill is a herbaceous plant with a powerful spicy aroma. The height of a single straight stem varies from 0.4 to 1.5 m, its dark green surface is finely furrowed. The shape of the leaf blades is ovoid, they are dissected into 3 or 4 parts, the lobes of the last order are linear-filamentous or bristle-shaped. Umbrellas reaching 20–9 in diameter0 mm, consist of yellow flowers, and they are collected in umbrella inflorescences with a diameter of 15–20 centimeters. The fruit is a vine. The shape of the seeds is ovoid or broadly elliptical, they are up to 0.5 cm long and up to 0.35 cm thick. Flowering begins in June or July, while fruit ripening occurs from July to September.

    Sowing dill in open ground


    Watch this video on YouTube

    Planting dill

    When to sow

    The first time to sow seeds in open ground is at the beginning of the spring period. In order for fresh dill greens to be on the table in spring, summer, and autumn, gardeners often resort to the conveyor method of sowing, while seeds need to be sown once every 10-12 days from the beginning of spring to the last days of August. nine0003

    If the sowing of dill is planned for the spring, then the preparation of the site will have to be done in the autumn. However, organic fertilizers (manure) are best applied under the predecessors of dill, and not under this crop. At the same time, the best predecessors of dill are beets, legumes, cabbage and cucumbers. Those areas where representatives of the Umbelliferae family (parsley, fennel, carrots, cumin and parsnips) were previously grown are not suitable for growing dill. This crop is not recommended to be grown next to parsley or carrots. It is best to grow garlic and dill nearby. Dill also grows well next to potatoes. nine0003

    At the beginning of spring, before sowing the seeds, loosen the soil with a rake, adding 15–20 grams of potassium salt, the same amount of urea and 20–30 grams of superphosphate per 1 square meter.

    Seeding Rules

    Seed material needs pre-sowing preparation, for this it needs to be filled with water for 3-4 hours, during this time it needs to be replaced several times, this will remove substances from the seeds that slow down their germination. Then the seed is kept for a couple of hours in a solution of strong manganese potassium. After that, it must be thoroughly washed and dried. Then the seeds are sown in grooves, the depth of which should be about 20 mm, while the distance between them should be from 15 to 20 centimeters. It is necessary to distribute the seeds in the groove in such a way that the distance between them is from 10 to 20 mm, then the seeds must be sealed and the bed should be watered. nine0003

    Germination of seeds is observed at a temperature of 5 degrees, in order for seedlings to appear as soon as possible, the surface of the site should be covered with agrospan. The first shoots should appear after 7-14 days.

    Growing dill on the windowsill

    Sowing

    When to sow dill indoors? In this case, you can sow dill at any time of the year. But if you want fragrant fresh herbs to be in winter, then you need to know which variety to sow. For indoor cultivation, early bush varieties of dill such as Grenadier, Gribovsky and Richelieu are best suited. nine0003

    Seeds require the same pretreatment as when sown in open soil. The seeds are deepened into the substrate by 10–20 mm, and large containers are used for sowing, at the bottom of which a drainage layer is made, and on top it is covered with moistened soil mixture, which consists of coconut fiber and biohumus (2: 1). Then the container must be covered with a film or glass, then it is removed in a dark place. Crops must be provided with regular ventilation, and condensate must be removed from the shelter in a timely manner. The first seedlings should appear after 15 days. When this happens, the shelter is removed, and the container is moved to a well-lit place. nine0003

    Rules for indoor care

    Thick seedlings must be thinned out, as this plant reacts extremely negatively to crowding. It is best to have a distance of 20 to 30 mm between the plants. The room should be cool, as the seedlings can stretch out in the heat. After the seedlings appear, the temperature in the room must be reduced by 2 degrees for 7 days. To do this, seedlings can be transferred to an insulated balcony. When 7 days have passed, the temperature must be raised to 15-18 degrees. This temperature is optimal for growing dill. At a time when the nights are longer than the days, this plant grown on the windowsill needs additional lighting. To do this, a fluorescent lamp with a power of 40–80 W is installed above the container with dill at a distance of about 0.6 m. Seedlings must be illuminated in the early morning for 5–6 hours.

    How to water

    Since this crop reacts extremely negatively to chlorine, water should be used for irrigation for 24 hours, it should be at room temperature or slightly warmer. But it is best to water the plant with water passed through a magnet or melted water. It should be noted that the substrate in the container must be constantly loose and slightly moist. Water must not be allowed to stagnate in the soil mixture, as a black leg may develop due to this. Such a plant grown indoors should be regularly moistened from a sprayer, especially if the container with dill is next to the heating device. nine0003

    Fertilizer

    Plants are fed once every 2 weeks, for this, a solution of complex mineral fertilizer (for example, Raduga or Ideal) is used in a low concentration. Remember that if too much fertilizer is applied to the substrate, then the young dill will die. Before starting feeding, the plants are watered, and after it they are recommended to be sprayed with clean water, this will avoid burns on the leaf plates. Foliar top dressing can also be used to fertilize dill, however, in this case, the concentration of the nutrient solution should be very, very weak. nine0003

    How to grow dill at home - an easy way to plant dill on your windowsill


    Watch this video on YouTube

    Growing dill outdoors

    See above for more information on how to sow dill seeds outdoors. In this section, we will talk about how to properly plant seedlings of this plant in the garden. Experts recommend growing bush varieties of dill exclusively through seedlings, and this method will also allow you to get an early harvest. nine0003

    Sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out in March, it should be grown on a windowsill or in a greenhouse. After 4-5 weeks, the plant is transplanted into open soil, while they should develop from 3 to 5 true leaf blades. Planting is carried out on a cloudy day or in the evening, as the direct rays of the sun can harm the seedlings. In order not to thin out the dill, when planting between the bushes, a distance of 0.2 to 0.3 m should be observed, while the distance between the rows should be approximately the same. When the seedlings are planted, the soil should not be compacted very much, and the bed should be watered, after which its surface is mulched with dry soil. Planted seedlings for several days are recommended to be protected from direct sunlight. nine0003

    After the formation of flowering shoots, it is recommended to remove them, due to this, the growth of side branches will increase.

    Care instructions

    It is very easy to grow this crop in open soil. To do this, it is enough to water, feed, weed and thin out the plant in a timely manner, and also regularly loosen the surface of the bed. The soil on the site should be loosened to a depth of five centimeters, and this is done immediately after the seedlings are fully rooted. The next couple of loosenings are carried out at intervals of 15 days, they do this after rain or watering, while loosening the soil to a depth of 10 to 12 centimeters. nine0003

    While the seedlings are young, it is very important to remove weeds from the bed in time. After the bushes grow up and get stronger, weed grass will no longer be able to cause tangible harm to them.

    How to water

    Watering dill should be systematic and frequent, otherwise the bushes lose their taste, turn yellow, and sometimes lose their healing effect. On hot days, watering should be carried out 2 times a day. If you have such an opportunity, then install an automatic irrigation system. For watering 1 square meter of beds, 2-3 buckets of water are taken. nine0003

    Feeding dill

    Bushes are fed with nitrogen-containing fertilizer, but it should be remembered that they can accumulate nitrates, in connection with this, it is best to use nettle infusion fermented for 5 days as a fertilizer. Such a fertilizer will not only saturate the plant with nitrogen, but also destroy aphids. It is not recommended to use insecticidal preparations for the treatment of dill, especially when there are less than 15 days left before harvesting.

    If necessary, then 10 to 15 grams of potassium-phosphorus fertilizer is applied per 1 square meter of the plot. nine0003

    How and when to collect fennel seeds

    After the seeds have dried, they will look like brown flat disks and can be easily separated from the umbrella. When this happens, they can be collected. They remain viable for 3 or 4 years. When the seeds are collected, they should be laid out to dry in a well-ventilated, dry area, they should be completely dry.

    What can be grown after dill

    The dill garden is suitable for growing crops such as garlic, peas, tomatoes, onions, beans and potatoes. Such a site is not suitable for growing representatives of the Umbelliferae (Celery) family, as they have common harmful insects and diseases. In this area, plants such as dill can be sown only after 4 or 5 years. nine0003

    Sowing dill My secrets of growing dill Fresh herbs from May to October


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    Pests and diseases of dill with photos and names

    Diseases of dill

    Dill is highly resistant to diseases, but it can also suffer , especially if it is not properly looked after or does not adhere to the rules of agricultural technology of this crop. Bushes can get sick with powdery mildew, phomosis, rust, black leg, fusarium or cercosporosis. nine0003

    Black leg

    In young bushes with black leg, the root neck is affected, because of this it turns black, softens, becomes thin and rots. Plants fall and then dry up. As a rule, they get sick due to violations of the rules of care, for example, due to excessive watering, stagnant air, sudden changes in temperature, lack of light, or when grown in a shady place. As soon as the first symptoms of the disease are noticed, the bushes should be sprayed with a solution of Fundazol. nine0003

    Powdery mildew

    Powdery mildew affects the aerial parts of the bushes, while a whitish coating appears on them. The disease develops most actively on hot days with high humidity. Affected plants will need treatment with colloidal sulfur.

    Peronosporosis

    Due to downy mildew (peronosporosis), chlorotic spots appear on the above-ground parts of the bush, which gradually turn brown, and a clearly distinguishable dirty purple coating forms on their lower surface. At the first symptoms of the disease, the bushes are sprayed with a solution of Bordeaux mixture (1%) or copper oxychloride (40 grams per 1 bucket of water). nine0003

    Phomosis

    When affected by phomosis, brown spots form on the shoots, foliage and inflorescences, the root system also suffers from it, on the surface of which dark stripes appear, which are arranged in rows. In order to prevent sowing, it is necessary to warm up the seed for 30 minutes before sowing. in hot water, then it is immediately immersed in cold water, after which it should be dried to a free-flowing state. Sick bushes must be treated with a solution of Bordeaux mixture (1%). If necessary, dill can be sprayed with this mixture several times with a break of 10-12 days. However, the last time the bushes must be processed no later than half a month before harvesting. Before eating or processing such dill, the greens must be thoroughly washed in running water. nine0003

    Cercosporosis

    When a plant suffers from cercosporosis, brown-yellow dirty spots appear on the surface of inflorescences and shoots, reaching 0.6 centimeters in diameter, as the disease develops, their middle becomes pale, while the edge remains dark brown. In order to get rid of this disease, for processing it is necessary to use the same means as when spraying bushes from phomosis.

    Fusarium wilt

    The development of Fusarium wilt is observed in bushes during the formation of 3-4 true leaf blades. Chlorotic spots form on the surface of plants, then they wilt. The disease develops rapidly when the soil overheats, water stagnates in it, or when the root system is injured during loosening. It is possible to cure the bushes only at an early stage of the development of the disease, while a solution of a fungicidal preparation is used for spraying. Severely affected bushes must be pulled out and destroyed. For the purposes of prevention, it is necessary to adhere to the rules of crop rotation for dill, and for cultivation, choose those varieties that are resistant to Fusarium wilt. nine0003

    Rust

    When dill is affected by rust in the first weeks of summer, brownish-yellow cushions form on the underside of foliage, petioles and shoots. For prevention purposes, before sowing, the seed must be heated in water heated to 50 degrees, then they must immediately be immersed in cold water, after which it is dried. Sick bushes will need several treatments with a break of 10-12 days, for this they use a solution of Bordeaux mixture (1%). The last time the plant must be processed no later than 2 weeks before harvesting. Before processing or eating, greens should be thoroughly washed in running water. nine0003

    HOW TO PROTECT DILL FROM APHIDS //Work in the garden


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    Pests of dill

    -carrot and carrot aphids.

    Carrot fly

    Carrot fly injures the above-ground part of the bush, due to which it has a lag in development, while the foliage turns purple-red at the beginning, after which it turns yellow and dries. Most often, pests settle on those dill bushes that are located next to the bed with carrots, since such a pest is attracted by the aroma of carrot tops. In order to protect the bushes from such a fly, the surface of the earth along the rows must be covered with a layer of a mixture consisting of sand, to which mustard powder, dry peat, hot ground pepper or wood ash are added. If, nevertheless, a carrot fly has appeared, the plants must be treated with the following means: Arrivo, Vantex or Karate Zeon. In this case, the bushes must be sprayed no later than half a month before harvesting. nine0003

    Umbrella blind

    Umbrella blind are small bugs that infect all members of the Celery family, both wild and cultivated. Such a pest feeds on plant sap, which it sucks out of foliage, umbrellas and stems, this leads to the death of greenery. In those beds where there are blind people, the yield of bushes is reduced by 30–40 percent. To get rid of such pests, the bushes need to be sprayed with a solution of Fitoverm or Aktellik.

    Italian bedbugs

    Italian blind men behave in exactly the same way as umbrella blind men and do the same harm. During one season in a warm area, such pests can give 2 generations. But such a bug can greatly harm dill only if there are a large number of individuals in the garden. In these cases, the bushes should be sprayed with a solution of Aktellik or Fitoverm.

    Aphids

    Dill can be damaged by 3 types of aphids: willow-carrot, carrot and melon. All of them feed on the juice that is sucked from the above-ground parts of the bushes, as a result they experience stunting, deformation, wrinkling, yellowing and drying. It must be remembered that such a pest is the main carrier of viral and bacterial diseases, which today are considered incurable. To begin with, pests are removed from the bushes with a powerful jet of water, then foliar top dressing is carried out using a solution of phosphorus-potassium fertilizer for this. 1 bucket of water must be combined with 3 kilograms of wood ash, when the mixture is infused for 24 hours, 1 large spoonful of liquid soap should be dissolved in it, then it must be filtered and used to spray the bushes. After 7 days, the mixture from the surface of the plants should be washed off with clean water. nine0003

    Varieties of dill

    Experts distinguish all varieties of dill by the length, width and shape of segments of leaf blades, by the shape of the rosette, and by the degree of dissection and color of foliage. Inexperienced gardeners most often focus on the following sign - the beginning of the formation of stems, according to which varieties are divided into early-ripening, mid-ripening and late-ripening.

    Dill, which variety to choose!?


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    Early maturing varieties

    1. Gribovsky . This productive variety is characterized by undemanding care. It can be grown in open soil and indoors. This fragrant variety has a very high resistance to diseases. The height of the bushes is about 25 centimeters.
    2. Far . This variety is characterized by high yield and resistance to lodging. Such dill is grown for freezing, food, it is dried and used to prepare brines and marinades. The formation of the rosette occurs 38–40 days after the seedlings appear. On the surface of green leaf plates there is not a very large wax coating. nine0008
    3. Aurora . Such a productive variety appeared relatively recently, it is resistant to harmful insects and diseases, and ripens after 25 days. A powerful bush has a lush rosette and close internodes, rich green fragrant foliage is very juicy.
    4. Grenadier . The ripening of such a bush variety occurs in 35–40 days from the moment the seedlings appear. Bushes in the development phase of 3 or 4 leaf plates have the greatest fragrantness.
    5. Umbrella . This variety also appeared not so long ago, its ripening period is the same as that of the Gribovsky variety. Experts recommend using this variety for growing in a greenhouse.

    Mid-season varieties

    1. Umbrella . The bush has thick branches and long leaf plates, such greens are eaten both fresh and used as a spice.
    2. Northwind . This bush variety is distinguished by its fragrantness and productivity. The height of semi-raised rosettes is about 36 centimeters, they include large green leaf plates with a bluish tint. Bushes ripen in 40–60 days from the moment of sowing, and seeds ripen after 65–105 days. nine0008
    3. Richelieu . This variety is decorative and disease resistant. Large rosettes consist of fragrant beautiful lacy greenish-blue leaf plates that have long lobes. During flowering, the shoots have the largest amount of foliage.
    4. Kibray . This variety has a high yield and resistance to powdery mildew. It can be cultivated both in a greenhouse and in open soil. Greens ripen no more than 45 days after the appearance of seedlings, and seed ripening occurs after 70 days. Greenish juicy and fragrant foliage is very tender. nine0008
    5. Alligator . The bush variety has leaf plates that are raised above the soil surface, which is very convenient during harvesting. The ripening of greens occurs 42–45 days after the seedlings appear, however, cutting greens for food can be done earlier.
    6. Lesnogorodsky . This variety, which is characterized by high yield and disease resistance, has one feature, for example, on the bushes in autumn, when foliage seeds ripen, it still remains fragrant, large and green, and at the same time it contains a large amount of provitamin A and vitamin C . nine0008

    Late-maturing varieties

    1. Salut . Such a bush variety is distinguished by its productivity, the bushes reach a height of about one and a half meters, and they ripen in 35–45 days. The leafy stem is very strong. Very fragrant foliage of a dark green color with a bluish tint, it is large and tender. This variety is valuable because the foliage grows very quickly after cutting, and the umbrellas form slowly.
    2. Buyan . The variety is resistant to diseases, it is grown in open soil through seedlings. In succulent bushes, shoots do not become rough for a long time, while there is a strong wax coating on the surface of fragrant foliage. nine0008
    3. Frost . The variety, which is distinguished by its yield, is used for preservation and freezing, as well as for fresh eating. Strongly leafy plants have large umbrellas and an elevated rosette, consisting of long green-gray strongly dissected leaf plates, on the surface of which there is a wax coating.
    4. Mischievous . A fragrant variety, characterized by productivity, has green-gray foliage, on the surface of which there is a wax coating. Most often, greens are used for fresh food, but it can also be used as a spice for dishes. nine0008
    5. Kutuzovsky . This variety matures 41-44 days after the seedlings appear. Delicate, fragrant and large foliage is colored greenish, it reaches a length of about 20 centimeters, it is dissected into filamentous segments. The bushes are strongly leafy. They are grown for drying, freezing, as a spice and for making brine and marinades.

    Properties of dill

    Useful properties of dill

    Dill can be eaten throughout the year. It contains such substances necessary for the human body as: nicotinic and ascorbic acids, carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, pectins, flavonoids, vitamins A, B2, B6, C, PP, as well as potassium, iron, phosphorus and calcium. The composition of the fruit includes a fatty oil of high concentration, consisting of palmetic, oleic and linoleic acids. nine0003

    All parts of the plant contain an essential oil with a characteristic dill aroma. The foliage contains magnesium and iron salts in an easily digestible form, they contribute to the enhancement of hematopoietic processes. And the essential oil included in the composition helps to stimulate the formation of digestive and bile enzymes, and they also disinfect the organs of the digestive and genitourinary systems. A drug called Anetin is made from this plant in the medical industry, it helps to stimulate the work of the heart muscle, and also expands the vessels of the brain and heart, as a result of which their nutrition is enhanced several times. nine0003

    This culture is very beneficial for women who are breastfeeding as it stimulates lactation. It is also recommended to use dill for hypertension, respiratory problems and visual impairment. Means from it have a diuretic, sedative and antispasmodic effect, as well as an analgesic effect for gastric or duodenal ulcers. An infusion is made from dill seeds that stimulates appetite, improves digestion, and also eliminates inflammation of the kidneys and helps get rid of insomnia. Mix 2 tbsp. freshly boiled water with 2 tsp. dill seeds, cover the container and wait 10 minutes. The infusion should be filtered and drunk 1 tbsp. in a day. This tool has a strong anti-allergic and anti-hemorrhoidal effect, and it is also used as an external wound healing. nine0003

    Another very popular powder made from the seeds of this plant, which enhances lactation. It is eaten 3 times a day, 1 gram for 30 minutes. before the meal. Infusion of foliage eliminates bags under the eyes, for this, cotton pads soaked in it should be put for 10 minutes. on the eyes. Dill oil is good for bronchitis and pneumonia, thanks to it there is a rapid separation of mucus from the walls of the bronchi. To eliminate gas formation in babies, dill water is used, to prepare it, you need to combine water and dill oil in a ratio of 1000: 1. In addition, this tool helps to lower blood pressure, increase diuresis, slow down intestinal motility and dilate blood vessels. nine0003

    Dill. Health benefits and harms.


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    Contraindications

    Everyone can eat dill because it cannot harm anyone. At the same time, the means from it, which contribute to lowering blood pressure, in hypotensive patients cause weakness, blurred vision, loss of strength, and sometimes fainting. It is also contraindicated for those who have dill intolerance. It is recommended to eat such greens as rarely as possible for pregnant women and women during menstruation, but you should not completely abandon it. nine0003

    How to plant dill and earn a million or more on it

    Dill is planted by seeds, in open ground, in greenhouses, by crossing rows of cucumbers, on heavy soils in beds, and even on a windowsill. This herb, popular in cooking and medicine, is quite unpretentious and in the southern regions can produce a large harvest almost all year round.

    In our article, we will show some of the features of how to plant and cultivate dill in order to obtain maximum yield, and, consequently, income from dill seeds from the Gavrish Professional Seed line, which you can always buy in our online store "Gavrish Shop". In the same place, now you can quickly pick up seeds to replace foreign vegetables in one or two clicks. But first things first.

    The world production of dill is mainly directed to the cultivation of seeds as a spice and component of herbal medicines, as well as for the production of essential oil. Dill for greens (fresh, dried and frozen) is cultivated in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Germany, Scandinavian countries, Poland, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Transcaucasia.

    According to farmers from the already mentioned Uzbekistan, greenery producers are increasing their exports to the Baltic countries: Lithuania and Latvia, sending dill and other greens there in literally tons. nine0126

    Features of outdoor cultivation:

    Any row crops are suitable as a predecessor for dill, except for plants of the Celery family, but the highest yields are obtained when it is placed after the predecessors (cucumbers, cabbage), under which manure was applied. After crops of the Celery family, dill is sown no earlier than 4 years later.

    In order to fully supply such an early crop as dill with nutrients, it is necessary that they be in a form accessible to the plant. nine0003

    Therefore, 60 t/ha of organic fertilizers, 2.5-3 centners/ha of superphosphate, 1.5-2 centners/ha of potassium chloride are applied for winter plowing. Under cultivation in the spring - 2.5 c / ha of ammonium nitrate. According to the experience of foreign manufacturers, 100 quintals of fresh dill in the budding stage endure N - 22 kg, P2O5 - 8 kg, K2O - 67 kg, MgO - 3 kg, CaO - 28 kg.

    Therefore, to obtain a green yield of 300 c/ha, it is necessary to apply N - 65 kg of AI, P2O5 - 25 kg, K2O - 200 kg, MgO - 10 kg, CaO - 85 kg per 1 ha. Phosphorus and potassium are applied before sowing, and nitrogen in 2 doses 2 weeks after sowing. The yield of greens is increased by 20% by foliar top dressing - four times spraying of dill seedlings with an interval of 1 week with a solution of urea (18 kg per 600 l of water per 1 ha). nine0003

    For conveyor delivery of greens during the season, dill is sown early in spring, as soon as the soil is ready. Crops are repeated with an interval of 10-15 days. The last sowing date in the Central region falls on the third decade of July (40-60 days before the onset of severe frosts). To obtain earlier production, dill seeds are sown before winter, when cold weather sets in (the average daily temperature is not higher than 5 ° C).

    If you sow dill before winter, the greens are ready for harvesting 2-3 weeks earlier than with early spring sowing

    Sow with vegetable seeders or manually in row (45 cm between rows) and band (distance between bands 45 and 60 cm, between rows 15-20 cm) methods.

    When growing dill on spices, the row spacing should be 45-60 cm. 8-12 kg/ha.

    Features of sowing dill

    Seeds are sown to a depth of 1-2 cm. Before emergence (8-10 days after sowing), harrowing is carried out across the rows. For this, a mesh (BSO-4.0) or light (ZOR-0.7) harrow is used with a unit speed of up to 4 km / h. Winter crops are also harrowed in early spring with light or mesh harrows across the rows and at the same time 60 kg / ha of nitrogen fertilizers are applied. When a crust appears, it can be destroyed by sprinkling or rolling with ring-spur rollers, but the first is preferable, since the lack of moisture pushes back the time of receipt of marketable greens and reduces yield. nine0003

    To obtain early production and increase the yield of green mass, crops are covered with non-woven material or slit-like film. This is a film with longitudinal cuts 20 mm long, staggered at a distance of 8 mm. The greatest effect from the use of such shelter is achieved in years with low temperatures and lack of moisture, when the yield is 3 times higher compared to crops without shelter. We regularly receive feedback from our customers about the results they get from Gavrish dill seeds. Even with minimal care, the effectiveness of dill is very high. nine0003

    Dill care

    Further care of crops consists of inter-row cultivation and weed control. The first loosening of row spacing is carried out to a depth of 4-5 cm, the last - to 8-10 cm. Herbicides when grown on greens are not recommended. When growing dill to obtain spices in heavily weedy areas, prometrin is added at the rate of 1.5 kg of a.i. per 1 ha. It is also possible to apply continuous herbicides before the emergence of dill shoots and during the germination of weeds. nine0003

    Harvesting dill

    Harvesting dill for greens begins when the plants reach a height of at least 20 cm, since the yield and taste of the product largely depend on its term.

    The highest yield of greenery and its aromaticity occur at the time of inflorescence formation, when the height of the plants reaches 25-30 cm. As the age of the plants increases, the aromaticity increases. Greens are harvested in dry weather, when there is no dew on the dill. Plants are either uprooted or cut off the leaves. nine0003

    When harvesting dill, it is very important to cool the produce quickly to avoid spontaneous combustion of the green mass

    Greengrocers cut early in the morning or in the evening, tie the greens into bundles and lay them in a low layer on the ground, lightly cover. In this way, the products are naturally cooled before being sold. Dill greens quickly wither and lose their presentation. So, at a temperature of 12-18°C and an air humidity of 85-90%, the shelf life is no more than 36 hours, at a temperature of 1-3°C and an air humidity of 90-95% - no more than 5 days.

    Harvesting of dill on spice is carried out in the full flowering phase, cut plants are tied into sheaves of 5-6 kg and stored until processing in a clean, well-ventilated room at a temperature of 0-12 ° C and air humidity not higher than 85% up to 2 days.

    The best way to store herbs is in airtight containers (packed in plastic bags in bunches of 200 g, the bags are sealed) at a temperature of 0-3 °C. In this form, the crop can be stored for up to 30 days. nine0003

    The traditional, world-wide varieties Dukat, Dill are better suited for one-time harvesting of leaves, umbels and seeds, as the plants quickly transition to stalking and flowering.

    For the conveyor receipt of greens, their repeated crops are required. Therefore, when growing dill for greens, it is necessary to use varieties that do not go to stalking for a long time, have a long economic shelf life and do not require frequent crops - Alligator, Almaz, Amazon. nine0003

    Dill was also grown in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. This plant was believed to provide protection from witchcraft, probably due to its strong fragrance. Dill was used to make protective amulets. It was added to the food of the Gladiators in the hope that it would add courage and valor to them.

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