Growing Dill

Anethum graveolens : Apiaceae / the umbelliferae family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                P P    

(Best months for growing Dill in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 6 inches apart
  • Harvest in 8-12 weeks. Use leaves before flowering.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Cabbage, Coriander, Fennel, tomatoes, broccoli

Your comments and tips

31 Aug 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Dill Zone 10b it says plant Feb.
30 Aug 19, Ag (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Try fresh chopped dill on young boiled potatoes with lots of butter and freshly cracked pepper!
16 Feb 19, Emma (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Hello, How can I find/buy dill flowering heads?? I live in Dunedin....
03 Mar 19, Russell (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I’m in Oamaru and have flowering Dill
18 Feb 19, Mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
You would have to find someone growing it - try nurseries etc
04 Aug 17, (USA - Zone 7a climate)
What ph should the soil be for dill's optimal growth. I barely have enough sun so I must try to make watering, fertilizing, pest control, ph etc. the best I can.
26 Mar 17, hugh avey (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
my dill plants, from seeds or transplanted seedlings, grow well briefly, then wilt and die - suggestions please
27 Mar 17, Jo (Australia - temperate climate)
It sounds a bit like too much water when you mention that the plants grow well for a while then wilt and die. Dill likes good soil and manure but does not like to be wet. Wilting and then dying is often an indicator of too much water. This may not be the reason but I would try planting it in a raised mound and see if that helps.
17 Jun 18, Kane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Jo, can Dill be grown in pots? Also, with any plants, Dill included, how do I water an entire vege patch/garden at once if some plants like water and othets don't like do much water? Thanks
17 Jun 21, Celeste (Canada - Zone 7b Mild Temperate climate)
I sent a reply; and then thought about the complexity.... and as usual, I went over board. So here is my best advice for a complete beginner gardeners. If you have the space, a good garden to start with is a Mediterranean Herb garden (I say if you have the space because if you plant one of these in a small space, you might not have room to plant anything else - and perhaps other plants or vegetables would serve you better). Ok, so what is a Mediterranean herb garden. It is a garden comprised of herbs that don't need much water, can tolerate poorer soils and like sun and heat . When picking a location for this herb garden think about a few things: 1. it should be in the sun ( at least 6 hrs of sun per day) and 2. It does not have to be close to the water source. Generally you locate plants that require lots of water close to your tap, or within easy reach of your hose; because you will be watering them frequently. On the other hand, plants that don't require frequent watering can be located in "less prime" watering locations; since you don't have to water them frequently. Convenience is key here; put plants that like water in a spot that is easy to water, and plants that require less water further away in those difficult to get to zones. The Mediterranean herb garden is a great garden to start with; since it is pretty tough to kill these herbs; they are very useable in cooking, or even eaten raw; and some are great ingredients in salad dressings. There is lots of return for little effort here; as herbs are high in vitamins. Most herbs can be started easily from seeds; cuttings or even the smallest of garden center plant purchases (in other words; I would not bother buying the 1 liter plant when the basket stuff size will do. It should be noted that some people like to locate their dry herbs close to the kitchen, so they are more likely to snip a bit of this and a bit of that when they are cooking; it all depends on how you want to use your garden real estate; and what needs to be convenient for you. There are also herbs that are considered "wet" ;herbs, because they like to be moist; Basil, mint etc. Locate these herbs somewhere where it is easy to water them, and somewhere where you can easily keep an eye on them (and water them if they wilt) -- they might also like a break from the hot afternoon sun; so if the garden closest to your kitchen is shady in the hot afternoon (but still gets morning sun) - this is a good spot for them; making them easy to monitor, easy to water, and easy to snip a bit here and there when preparing a meal. What I gather from your question is you need to take a little more time thinking about how you will "group" your plants into garden beds; or zones within a bed. Again, my suggestion for complete beginners is the dry herb garden; it's the INTRO to gardening; and you know you are going when you start to use your herbs.....most people have an easy time getting the garden up and going, but have to force themselves to incorporate the herbs in their cooking in the beginning; it can be tough.
Showing 11 - 20 of 43 comments

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