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Dill Growing Guide🌿: Planting, Spacing, and Harvesting Tips

Dill Growing Guide🌿: Planting, Spacing, and Harvesting Tips

Introduction

Dill is a fast-growing, fragrant herb that pairs beautifully with salads, seafood, and pickling recipes. It thrives in SIPs and wicking beds, where steady hydration from GardenWells inserts keeps plants lush and productive. Bonus: dill attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, boosting your entire garden ecosystem.

When to Plant Dill

  • Spring: Direct-seed dill April through May after the last frost; see the April Gardening Guide for early-season tips.

  • Summer: Sow seeds every 2–3 weeks through July for continual harvests.

  • Fall: In warmer climates, a final sowing in August delivers fragrant autumn leaves.

Square Foot Gardening Spacing

  • Spacing: 4 plants per sq ft (~6” apart)

  • Depth: Sow seeds ¼” deep

  • Companions: Excellent with cucumbers, carrots, and lettuce.

How to Plant Dill

Direct Seeding (Preferred)

  • Dill dislikes transplanting, so direct-seed wherever possible.

  • Sow 2–3 seeds per hole and thin to the strongest seedling.

  • Provide full sun and well-draining SIP soil mixes.

Transplanting (Optional)

  • If starting indoors, use biodegradable pots to avoid root disturbance.

Watering Your Dill

  • Use your WaterStem: when the Hummingbird rises, your reservoir’s full; when it drops, refill.

  • Before establishment: Top-water lightly for the first 7 days after seeding.

  • After establishment: Refill SIP reservoirs every 1–2 weeks depending on heat.

  • Avoid overwatering to reduce risk of root rot.

Harvesting Dill

  • Leaves: Begin cutting outer fronds 30–40 days after planting.

  • Seeds: Allow flower heads to dry on the plant; harvest seeds for cooking or next year’s sowing.

  • Continuous pruning encourages fuller, bushier plants.

Common Issues & Fixes

Issue Likely Cause Solution
Yellowing Leaves Overwatering Use SIPs or wicking beds for balanced hydration
Early Bolting Heat stress Sow successions every 2 weeks during hot spells
Aphid Infestations Soft fronds attract pests Interplant with nasturtiums or spray diluted neem oil

Companion Plants for Dill

Best companions (with cross-links):

  • Cucumbers → Classic culinary and garden pairing; enhances cucumber yields.

  • Carrots → Dill attracts beneficial insects that deter carrot pests.

  • Lettuce → Shares SIP zones effectively without crowding roots.

  • Tomatoes → Attracts pollinators that improve fruit set.

Avoid planting with:

  • Fennel → Cross-pollinates and stunts growth.

  • Large brassicas like cabbage → Compete heavily for nutrients.

Product Tips

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