How to Grow Fernleaf Dill
Anethum graveolens
Fernleaf Dill is a versatile herb prized for its delicate foliage and culinary uses in pickles, sauces, and salads. Gardeners grow it not only for flavor but also because it attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs while repelling others with its strong scent.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Fernleaf Dill: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Fernleaf Dill is not usually started indoors.
Dill is best started directly in the garden rather than transplanted, though seedlings can be moved outdoors gently once they are sturdy and the frost danger has passed.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. As a cool-season crop, sow seeds directly outdoors or start indoors 2 to 6 weeks before your last spring frost date. Press seeds gently into the soil surface without covering them deeply, as they need light to germinate. Expect sprouts in 7 to 14 days once conditions are right.
Space plants 6 to 12 inches apart to ensure good air circulation and prevent overcrowding. While dill can reach 2 to 5 feet tall, it usually grows upright without needing support unless the variety is particularly leggy. Provide about 1 inch of water weekly, ensuring the soil stays moderately moist but not soggy. Apply a light layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Watch for parsley worms, aphids, and spider mites; encourage ladybugs or spray with insecticidal soap if infestations appear. Downy mildew and bacterial blight are uncommon but can be prevented by ensuring good airflow around the plants. Harvest leaves once they reach maturity, typically within 40 to 50 days after sowing, snipping stems as needed for continuous use.
When to Plant Fernleaf 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 |
Companion Plants for Fernleaf Dill
✓ Good companions
Dill attracts parasitic wasps that control cabbage loopers and other brassica pests
Dill attracts beneficial insects that control cabbage worms and other brassica pests
Corn provides wind protection for delicate dill fronds while dill attracts beneficial predators
Dill repels cucumber beetles and attracts predatory wasps
Dill provides light shade and attracts beneficial insects while lettuce doesn't compete for space
Both plants attract beneficial insects and have pest-repelling properties
Both plants repel different pest insects, creating a protective effect
Dill repels tomato hornworms and aphids, while tomatoes provide shade for dill
✗ Keep away from
Can cross-pollinate with dill since both are in the carrot family, affecting seed quality
Competes for similar growing conditions and attracts the same pests
Can cross-pollinate with dill and may inhibit dill's growth through allelopathic effects
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
