How to plant and Grow Dill at Home

Dill is one of my favorite herbs to grow and preserve for winter dishes. It is a staple in our garden. We make pickles from home grown cucumbers, dill and garlic. Growing dill at home in your garden is both easy and rewarding. Here are some tips on how to grow dill at home in a garden or in a pot.

Nutritional Benefits of Dill

Dill has many nutritional benefits as well. It has been shown to be a powerful antioxidant, is high in flavonoids, and contains vitamins A and C, manganese, calcium, copper, magnesium, potassium, riboflavin, and zinc.

Garden Benefits of Growing Dill

Not only is dill great for eating, but it is also a great addition to your garden! Dill attracts a number of beneficial insects, including lacewings, ladybugs, honeybees, hoverflies, butterflies and wasps.

Dill is said to repel cabbage looper, spider mites and squash bugs.

When to Plant Dill Seeds

Direct sow dill seeds after your last frost. It geminates best when the soil temperature reaches 15⁰C (60⁰F).

How to Plant Dill Seeds

Dill seed is best direct sown in your garden as it puts down a taproot, like carrots, and doesn't like to be transplanted. (Although I have transplanted dill and it did seem to work okay.)

Plant dill seeds 1/4 inch deep and 6 inches apart in a area that receives at least 8 to 10 hours of sunlight.

Succession plant dill, seeding every 2 to 3 weeks, for a continuous supply.

Dill seeds are easy to save for next year, or you can let it go to seed in your garden and get volunteer dill plants the next year.

How to Grow Dill at Home in Pots

Dill grows well in herb containers, as long as they are deep enough. Plant dill in pots at least 18 inches deep. When growing dill in pots, it is helpful to select a shorter variety, like Dukat Dill.

Young Dill Fronds

Harvesting and Storing Dill

Harvest dill fresh as needed throughout the spring, summer and fall. Drying dill is an easy way to preserve it for winter use. Hang fronds in a dry place until they become crunchy (about 3 weeks). Break dill up into a pan, removing any large stems or unwanted pieces and place in a jar to store and use over the winter.

Alternatively, fresh dill fronds can be frozen in a bundle for use through the winter.

Hang Dill to Dry

Companion Plants for Dill

Plant dill next to asparagus, cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi, cucumbers, and lettuce.

Avoid planting dill near carrots (it can stunt their growth), beets, and tomatoes (dill can attract horn worms).

Find my full FREE printable companion planting guide here.

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