Dill Seed

General Information

Botanical Name:

Anethum graveolens

Common Names:

Dill Seed, Dill

Plant Family:

Apiaceae

Type:

Annual; Culinary/Medicinal/Aromatic; Cool season

Our Favorite Varieties:

Bouquet, Mammoth, Fernleaf, Dukat

Know Before You Grow

Growing Zones:

2–11

Frost Hardy:

Yes (light frost)

Heat Tolerant:

Moderate

Stratification:

No

Rows, Beds, Containers:

Rows, beds, and containers all work; best in ground or deeper containers because of taproot

Starting from Seed

When:

Direct Sow Only, even if it is in a container. Plant it where you want it…because it really dislikes being dug up and moved!

Row, Bed, Container Prep

Soil:

Loose, well-draining, moderately fertile soil

pH:

5.5–7.5

Soil Depth or Pot Size:

10–12 inches deep minimum; containers at least 10–12 inches deep

Trellis:

no

Fertilizer/Feed:

Light feeder; mix a small amount of balanced fertilizer like 5-5-5 into the soil before planting if needed

Compost:

Mix 1–2 inches into the soil before planting

Transplanting/Up Potting

When:

Not recommended.

Direct Sowing

When:

Early spring; succession sow every 2–3 weeks if growing for leaf and seed production over time

Depth:

¼–½ inch

Spacing:

Thin to 8–12 inches apart

Water:

Keep evenly moist until established

Light:

Full sun

# in Sq. Ft. Planting:

1–2 plants per square foot

Growing Care

Fertilizer/Feed:

Usually needs little feeding; too much fertilizer makes weak, floppy growth

Days to Maturity:

40–60 days for leaves; 90–120 days for seed

Water:

About 1 inch per week; more in hot, dry weather

Pruning/Harvesting:

Let plants flower and set seed if growing for dill seed; do not keep cutting all flower heads off

Mulching:

Use a light layer of mulch to help hold moisture and reduce soil splash; keep it pulled back from the stems

Pollination:

Insect pollinated; bees and other beneficial insects improve seed production

Companions & Antagonists

Plant Family:

Antagonists:

Cabbage

Carrots

Onions

Fennel

Lettuce

–

Cucumbers

–

Attracts & Repels

Attracts:

Repels:

Bees

Aphids

Butterflies

Cabbage Pests

Ladybugs

–

Parasitic Wasps

–

Hoverflies

–

Pests & Disease

Pests:

Disease:

Aphids

Powdery Mildew

Caterpillars

Damping Off

Spider Mites

Leaf Blight

Seed Saving

When:

When seed heads turn brown and dry on the plant

Method:

Cut whole seed heads, hang or lay flat to dry completely, then rub or shake seeds free and store dry

Harvest Time

When:

Harvest seed heads when they turn tan to brown and the seeds are fully formed and hard

How:

Cut whole umbels or stems and finish drying indoors if needed

What:

Seeds

Storing:

Store fully dried seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dark place

Preservation Methods:

Drying

Medicinal Uses:

Traditionally Used for:

Gas relief, digestion, appetite support

Forms:

Tea, crushed seeds, tincture

Dosage or Application:

Tea: 1–2 teaspoons crushed seeds per cup; Seeds: used as needed in food or tea; Tincture: 20–40 drops

NOTICE:

This information is based on historical/traditional fact. It is for educational purposes only. Lowe Bridges Farm will not be held liable for your use of this information. Your use of this information and the results thereof is your responsibility, and yours alone.

Culinary Uses:

Flavor Profile:

Warm, slightly bitter, aromatic, and lightly caraway-like

Best Used In:

Pickles, breads, soups, sauerkraut, spice blends, vinegar

Forms:

Whole seed, crushed seed, ground seed

As an Aromatic:

Used for:

Warm herbal-spice scent

How:

Dried seeds in sachets, spice blends, and pantry mixes

Troubleshooting

Weak Plants:

Too much shade or overfeeding

Poor Seed Set:

Not enough time, too much cutting, or poor pollination

Plants Falling Over:

Too much nitrogen or overcrowding

Mildew:

Improve airflow and avoid crowding

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