How to Grow Dill
Anethum graveolens
Dill is a versatile herb prized for its feathery foliage and distinct aroma used in pickles, sauces, and salads. Gardeners grow it easily to add flavor to dishes while attracting beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies to the garden.
📷 Wikipedia: DillStarting Dill: indoors or direct sow?
🏠 Start indoors 4 weeks before your last spring frost, then move the seedlings outside.
You can start seeds indoors four weeks before the last frost, but direct sowing is often preferred since dill seedlings transplant poorly; simply sow them directly into the final growing spot when soil temperatures are right.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, well-draining soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5 for best results. As a cool-season crop, sow seeds directly outdoors or start indoors two to six weeks before your last spring frost date. Press seeds gently into the soil surface without covering them deeply, as they need light to germinate successfully within seven to twenty-one days.
Space plants twelve to eighteen inches apart to ensure good air circulation and airflow through the patch. While dill does not require staking unless grown very tall in rich soil, keep the ground moist but not waterlogged. Apply a light layer of mulch to retain moisture and feed lightly if growth seems sluggish after establishment.
Watch for aphids or spider mites; encourage ladybugs or spray with insecticidal soap if infestations occur. Prevent fungal issues by avoiding overhead watering. Harvest leaves when they are young and tender, typically forty to sixty days after sowing, snipping stems as needed rather than cutting the whole plant at once.
When to Plant Dill
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2 | April – May | — | August – September |
| Zone 3 | April – May | — | July – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | — | July – October |
| Zone 5 | March – April | — | June – October |
| Zone 6 | March – April | — | June – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | — | June – November |
| Zone 8 | February – March | — | May – December |
| Zone 9 | January – February | — | April – December |
| Zone 10 | January | — | April – December |
| Zone 11 | January | — | March – December |
