Growing Dill

Dill: An Easy Herb To Grow

Dill is one of the easiest herbs to grow and it is fairly maintenance free. Even beginners can handle growing dill themselves. Use it for almost anything you can think of in the kitchen.

It can be fresh, dried and even frozen. Dill is a staple when cooking meat and adds that extra appetizing taste in your gourmet dishes. Fish and lamb are great with dill. Any roast will not be complete without some dill in it. Just remember to add dill at the end of any cooking process as it might overpower the other flavors.

This hardy plant can grow as tall as 36 inches in length. Its height can be a hassle due to strong winds so add some support or protection against the wind. It is a perennial plant so plant what you need to last for the next seasons.

Read on for our full guide on how to grow dill in your own garden.

Growing Dill

Like most plants, Dill should be planted after the snow melts. Autumn and spring are the perfect seasons for dill planting. Dill thrives in cold weather but it is best to grow it indoors during the winter. Dill also grows well in full sun or at least 6 hours of sun exposure every day. Use an artificial sunlight to help Dill develop indoors. Once the temperature cools down, you can place dill plants outdoors.

Daily garden soil is enough for dill to grow. The soil does not need to be too deep. Lay the seeds on the soil and cover them lightly with a layer of soil. Keep them about a foot apart to have some space. Constant watering is needed to keep the soil moist. A drip or irrigation system can be used for dill especially when there is a dry spell in your area.

Dill seeds can bolt as fast as 2 weeks. Thin them out around 9 inches to let each plant grow into its full potential. Flowers will come out in about 4-6 weeks.

Now listen. Since flowers may stop dill from producing more leaves, you can actually cut them out if you only need the leaves. Cut the stem about 2 inches when flower buds appear as this will help leaves to grow again. This will also ensure full development for your dill.

When the flowers bloom, then it’s time to harvest your dill. Do not worry about it dying out if you harvest. It will continue to grow, granted you have not taken everything. Keep dill happy by weeding it out from time to time.

Care

Throughout the growing process, make sure that dill plants have enough space for their roots to move around. Allowing the roots to go deeper into the ground will protect your dill from strong winds, hence provides stability. Bone meal is one of the most common fertilizers for dill, but any mixed compost will help give nourishment.

Imagine a feast of lamb, potatoes, peas, sauces and salad with a sprinkle of fresh Dill! Your common feast will become a feast of a 3 Michelin star proportions. It is a very versatile herb that you can use any time you want. It can be a great idea to have one nearby. Just have fun creating dishes with it.