Many herbs can be grown through the summer, so for everyone who likes to eat, why not grow a culinary herb in your garden or patio? Many herbs are well adapted to container gardening. The containers can be placed on patios, porches, or balconies, and herbs with a cascading habit can be grown in hanging baskets. Some herbs can be grown in full sun, partial shade, or shade, plus they are easy to grow and delicious when added to a meal!
One of the most popular herbs is dill, Anethum graveolens. Dill is an annual which means that it will grow, flower, set seed, and die within one year. It is in the same plant family as parsley, carrots, celery, and fennel. Dill grows best when planted in soil amended with organic matter or in a fast-draining potting mix. Our naturally sandy soil will not produce the healthiest plants because sand has no water or nutrient-holding capacity. Dill is typically grown for its flavorful leaves and seeds that are used in both hot and cold dishes and for making dill pickles.
Where to grow dill
A location that receives full sun, which receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, will grow the fullest plants, though if you only have a shady spot, you can still grow dill. Typically, dill plants grow tall but there are a few varieties available that produce small plants which are perfect for growing in containers. Check out this list of some of the dill varieties available.
“Long Island Mammoth,” also called Mammoth dill, is the largest growing dill and can grow 30 to 48 inches tall. This variety is a good one for Florida gardens, including butterfly gardens!
“Elephant” dill is known for its aromatic foliage and late flowering. It grows tall, 30 to 48 inches, and produces a lot of foliage and flowers.
“Dukat” has the sweetest flavor and the highest essential oil content. Some sources say this dill can grow three to six feet tall. This is an heirloom variety, so the seeds can be saved to start new plants for the next year.
“Bouquet” grows 30 to 36 inches tall. If you want to make pickles, this may be the variety for you. Bouquet is especially good because of its early and abundant seed production. This is another heirloom variety that will self-propagate without any effort on your part.
“Fernleaf” only reaches a height of 18 inches and is another good choice for growing in containers. This cultivar is also slow to bolt and produce seeds, so foliage production lasts longer.
“Grandma Einck’s” is an Iowa heirloom grown since 1920. The plants grow to 24 inches, produce a strong aroma, and have large flower heads. This variety will self-seed, and germination can be erratic, so do not be impatient or quick to judge the seeds as non-viable.
Bonus: Dill attracts Black Swallowtail butterfly
Another benefit to growing dill is that it is also a host plant for the Black Swallowtail butterfly. If you see caterpillars on your dill, just buy more plants so there is enough food for you and the caterpillars! The Black Swallowtail butterflies will also lay their eggs on fennel and parsley plants since they are all members of the same plant family.
Dill leaves can be used fresh or dried, along with the dried seeds, in soups, stews, sauces, fish, eggs, pickles, salads, and vegetables. When using fresh dill in cooked dishes, add it at the very end, shortly before the meal is served. Fresh dill leaves are also commonly added to soft cheeses, sandwiches or tossed into salads. If you like the flavor of dill, try it in any dish or meal you want.
How to harvest dill
Harvesting dill is as easy as cutting off the leaves.
You can dry the dill foliage, also called dill weed, or freeze it. Chop up what you need and then return the rest to the freezer.
If you are interested in collecting the seeds, they can be harvested while still green, once they are fully developed, to use in making pickles.
If you want to save the seeds to grow new plants, let them mature and turn brown before collecting them. To collect the mature seeds, cut the brown inflorescence off, shake them out over a large bowl or in a large brown bag, and store them in airtight containers.
It does not matter if you have a large yard or not, everyone can grow dill. If you have never grown an herb, or it has been a long time, why not start growing some dill now? After all, nothing tastes better than harvesting fresh herbs to add to your meal, right before you eat!
Sally Scalera is an urban horticulture agent and master gardener coordinator for the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agriculture Science.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: How to keep dill growing and harvest it from your garden
