Dill Garden Guide

Dill Care At A Glance

• Annual herbs in cold zones. Self-sowing biennial in zones 8 and warmer.
• Easy to grow in organically rich, well-draining soils.
• Full to part sun.
• Grow in-ground or in deep containers.
• Water consistently, and keep mulched to maximize foliage growth.

Seed Starting

• Start seeds indoors in plantable peat pots or Jiffy® Extra-Depth wafers about 4 weeks prior to planting out. Harden off for 1 week prior to planting out.
• Often best when sown directly into the garden after the threat of frost has passed.
• Sow seeds into pre-moistened, organically amended, warm soil.
• Optimal soil temperature, indoors or out, is 65°-70°F for germination in 10-15 days.
• Thin, papery seeds require light for germination, use light soil cover.
• Sow seeds in rows 12 in. apart.
• Once sprouted, thin plants to about 6 in. apart.
• Sowing successive crops every 3 weeks is beneficial for consistent harvests.

NOTE: Planting too early can lead to bolting.

Growing

• Dill weed is a reliable grower in full sun to part shade.
• Taller growing, 2-3 ft. tall varieties can benefit from some support.
• Deep, organically rich, but well-drained soils are best.
• Maintain 2-3 inches of mulch around plants to conserve soil moisture. This is beneficial since dill forms long tap roots.
• Keep plants consistently watered, especially during periods of heat or drought.
• Harvest and dry leaves as needed.
• Dill flowers are highly attractive to many beneficial pollinators and dill foliage are a favorite food for the larvae of Black Swallowtail butterflies, which are attractive caterpillars that have longitudinal green, white, and black stripes with yellow spots.