Garden Vegetable - Dill

Botanical Information

Starting

Notes:

An easily grown plant, it prefers a moderately rich loose soil and full sun and shelter from the wind. Tolerates a pH in the range 5.3 to 7.8. Dill is a commonly cultivated herb, especially in warm temperate and tropical zones. It is grown mainly for its edible leaves and seeds, though it is also used medicinally. There are many named varieties. 'Bouquet' is a cultivar that has a prolific production of seeds. The sub-species A. graveolens sowa from India has a slightly different flavor to the type species. The plant quickly runs to seed in dry weather. It often self-sows when growing in a suitable site. A good companion for corn and cabbages, also in moderation for cucumbers, lettuce and onions, but it inhibits the growth of carrots. Dill reduces a carrot crop if it is grown to maturity near them. However, the young plant will help to deter carrot root fly. The flowers are very attractive to bees.

Propagation: Seed - sow April to early summer in situ. The seed germinates in 2 weeks if the soil is warm. A regular supply of leaves can be obtained if successional sowings are made from May to the end of June. Autumn sowings can succeed if the winters are mild. Dill is very intolerant of root disturbance and should not be transplanted because it will then quickly run to seed.