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Growing Dill

 

  • Ideal Soil pH for Dill: 6.0 - 7.0

  • Ideal Climate for Dill: temperate to subtropical, low winds

  • Daily sunlight needed for Dill: 9-12 hours full sun

  • Watering Dill: light daily watering 

Step 1: Choosing a Location to Plant Dill

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When planting dill look for a location that gets as much sunlight as possible and if protected from winds. Aside from that, dill is a fairly easy plant to grow that does not need to much thought before planting.

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Step 2: Choosing Dill seeds

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There is a handful of popular dill varieties that have the following characteristics to consider:

  • height

  • good for container growth

  • better for pickling or better for cooking

  • density of foliage

  • time before bolting

  • oil content

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At the end of the day, most all dill varieties have similar taste and are easy to grow!

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Step 3: Preparing Soil for Growing Dill

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Dill plants can thrive in containers or in the ground and are able to put up with a variety of soil types. Dill does best in well drained soil with a good amount of organic matter, but it can put up with moist and dry conditions so there is a relatively large range of soil it can be successful in.

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Step 4: Planting Dill Seeds

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Dill seeds can be sown directly into the ground once the danger of frost has passed in the spring. Scatter the seeds thinly over the soil surface, about ¼ inch deep. Space the seeds or thin the seedlings to about 12-18 inches apart to allow for proper growth. Dill is also great for planting in containers indoors, but does not handle transplanting well so keep it in the initial container if you choose to go that route.

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Step 5: Watering Dill

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Dill prefers slightly moist soil so water daily keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

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Its best to water in the morning hours when the moisture is able to penetrate the soil before it evaporates. It is also good practice to focus the watering around the base of the plant and avoid watering the foliage to reduce the chance of diseases developing.

Step 6: Fertilizing Dill

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Dill will rarely require fertilizing since it is a weed and can thrive in a range of soil conditions. It is always wise to mix some compost into soil before planting and mulch around the base of plants to retain moisture and provide extra carbon. 

Step 7: Harvesting Dill

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Dill leaves can be harvested once the plant reaches about 8 inches in height, typically around 6 to 8 weeks after planting. You can either pick individual leaves or snip off whole stems. Dill seeds can be harvested once the flower heads have turned brown and dry. Cut the seed heads and hang them upside down in a paper bag to catch the seeds as they mature and fall off.

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