Growing Dill
Beginning gardeners should take heart that they’ll be able to grow this herb for their pickles and devil’d eggs.
Planting Dill
Sow the seed in the middle of May, about the same time as you plant out your vegetable transplants. Sow one quarter inch deep (no deeper), cover the seed, and then water the row so the seed will be in contact with damp soil.
If you plant more than one row, the rows should be at least 24 inches apart.
One of the potential problems to growing dill is impatience.
Slow Germinator
The seed is a a slow germinator (some folks use radish to mark the rows) and will germinate when the soil temperatures get into the 60-70F range.
Sow in full, hot sun. The kind of soil you grow on is not that critical. It is one of the most adaptable of herbs, growing this herb is easy almost anywhere you can plant it and give it sun and water to grow. (heavy clay and water-logged soils are not great however).
Thin seedlings to 6 inches apart when the seedlings are 3 inches tall. The seed heads will come on around the 70 day mark for most varieties.
The stalks can be cut when they are feathery with their traditional flat clusters of flowers. Try to harvest in early flower stage for cooking or salads.
If you let the plant set seed, these can be used in a wide variety of cooking and pickling efforts including dill pickles.
Do you have a question about Growing Dill?