Dill
How do I sow dill outdoors?
To sow dill outdoors, it is best to do so in spring, between March and May. Before sowing, it's important to prepare the soil by weeding and working it deeply so that it's well aerated. Choose a sunny, well-drained spot so that the seeds can germinate properly.
Once the soil is ready, sow the seeds about 1 to 2 cm deep, spacing them 20 to 30 cm apart. Be sure to water regularly, but sparingly, to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Beware, dill is a fragile plant with sensitive roots, so it is advisable not to transplant it after sowing. It is also best to avoid overwatering and fertilising to encourage the plant to grow naturally and healthily.
Dill is a fragile plant with sensitive roots, so it is advisable not to transplant it after sowing.
How to plant dill?
To grow dill, you can sow the seeds directly in the ground in spring once any risk of frost has passed. Dill prefers well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter and slightly acidic. Choose a sunny or partly shady spot.
For better germination, you can soak the seeds in warm water for a few hours before sowing. Sow the seeds at a depth of 1 to 2 cm and space them about 20 to 30 cm apart. Water regularly to keep the soil moist.
Once the plants are a few centimetres tall, thin them out to leave just one plant every 15 to 20 cm. You can harvest the leaves as and when they are needed by cutting them off at the base. Dill can be stored fresh in a glass of water in the fridge or dried for later use.
How to harvest dill?
To harvest dill in a natural garden, it is best to wait until the plants have reached a sufficient size, usually at least 20 cm tall. The ideal time to harvest dill is between early summer and autumn, when the leaves and stems are well developed.
To harvest dill, simply cut the stems with scissors or a sharp knife. It is recommended to cut the stems close to the ground to encourage new shoots to form. You can harvest the leaves as you need them, or cut several stems at a time for later use.
It is advisable to keep dill fresh by placing it in a glass of water at room temperature, changing the water every day. You can also store it in the fridge in a perforated plastic bag. Fresh dill generally keeps for a week this way. If you want to keep dill for longer, you can dry it by hanging it upside down in a dry, airy place away from light.
Dill
- Type : Aromatic plants
- Subtype : Bulb vegetables
- Botanical Family : Apiaceae (umbelliferae)
Characteristics
- Lifecycle : Annual
- Exposure : Full Sun
- Frost Hardiness : Frost Resistant
- Cultivation Difficulty : Easy
- Adult Height : 40 cm
Sowing & Planting
- Greenhouse Growing : Not Required
- Sowing Depth : 0.5 cm
- Plant Spacing : 20 cm
- Row Spacing : 40 cm
Maintenance
- Maintenance : Low
- Water Requirements : Moderate
Seeds
- Soil Type : Humus-rich
- Soil pH Preference : Neutral
- Pest Sensitivity : Moderate
- Disease Sensitivity : Moderate
- Weed Sensitivity : Low
- Pollination : Insect-pollinated
- Propagation : Sowing