(Leaf harvest 40-45 days; dill seed 85-90 days)
Anethum graveolens Most widely grown dill variety with good seed and leaf yields. The edible seeds and greens are a must for making pickles and a flavorful addition to sauces and many foods. The foliage is known as dill weed. Both the seeds and dill weed can be collected, dried, and stored for out-of-season enjoyment. Succession planting will extend harvest windows.
Growing Notes
Planting depth: 1/8-1/4 inch. Spacing: 2 seeds/inch. Avg. Days to Germ.: 7-21; usually 10-14 days depending on weather conditions. Final spacing of 4 inches in row with 12 inches between rows for vigorous, healthy plants. Full sun. Moderate water.
Dill is very easy to grow and does best in full sun. The plant prefers well-drained, average to rich soil. Plant seeds in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked and a week or two before the last hard frost. Barely cover the seed; light is needed for germination. Succession planting every 10 days while the weather is cool for a continuous supply of leaves. Late summer plantings can provide for fall leaf harvest; it is tolerant of light frost. Late fall plantings can also be made for germination the following spring. If the seed heads are not harvested, dill will readily self-seed.
Transplants can also be used to ensure harvestable dill for pickling during cucumber season. However, seeding in early spring should be sufficient in that the plants develop quickly. Seeds will germinate in 10 to 14 days. Seedlings should be thinned to 3-6 inches apart when they are 3-4 weeks old.
If grown in containers, a deep pot should be used to accommodate the long roots, and the plants may need to be staked, particularly if short varieties are not planted. Even in the garden, tall types can benefit from staking as the hollow stems can be easily damaged by wind, rain, and hail. Dill is not very competitive with other plants, so they should be kept well weeded.