"Growing Dill"

An extract from 'Herb Gardening'

Dill has been around for centuries and was known to the ancient Greeks and Romans as a culinary and medicinal herb. The Romans saw it as a sign of luck and the Greeks as a sign of wealth. It also has a long culinary history in India. Growing:

It's said to be one of the easiest herbs to grow successfully, so if you are just starting out in the garden, this is a good herb to start with. It doesn’t need to be started off indoors and should be sown in situ. Plants grow quite tall and should therefore be positioned at the back of a herb or flower bed. But they will like a sunny position and preferably sheltered from the wind as much as possible.

Prepare a seed bed outside in the spring and rake to a fine tilth. Remove large stones and weeds, and then sow your seed. Check on the seed packet for manufacturers growing recommendations for your area but you would normally plant the seed in mid-late spring, after the coldest nights are over and in time to get the early sun.

Make successive sowings every few weeks from spring to summer so you have a constant fresh supply of leaves. In regions with mild winters, seed can be sown right through until autumn..

Sow your seeds quite thickly so that the plants support each other in the wind. Or thin the plants out to allow about 20cm of growing room and support them with stakes. If you are using this method, push the stakes into the ground before planting so as not to disturb the roots later.

Caterpillars can be a problem for dill, so keep a eye open and hand pick them off if necessary. Chemicals should never be used on plants that are to be eaten.

As with most herbs, dill can be grown in containers or pots and will thrive in a well positioned and looked after window box. The usual conditions apply; well drained and moist compost but also care should be taken with wind. Plants grow tall and straggly and may need a stake or some form of support as it matures.

In the garden, plants growing close together help support each other, but one or two plants in a container or window box will need support. ......................

Thompson & Morgan have a range of herb seeds available.
Direct page link to UK supplies Thompson and Morgan dill seeds UK
Direct page link to US supplies Thompson and Morgan US For Global Supplies hit their homepage: Thompson and Morgan Global

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Dill has long tap roots which find water more efficiently than other plants. In a container, however, it will need regularly watering. Make sure the container or pot is fairly deep to allow the roots to take up nutrients from the soil properly.

Keep your plants free of weeds, and they should grow without too much interference. Outside plants will need watering under extreme dry periods but otherwise can be left to find water on their own.

The best way to keep herbs thriving and producing leaf, is to use them. Cut a few sprigs regularly and the plant will push out more foliage.

Dill leaves are best eaten fresh but can be dried and stored in airtight jars for several months, although there will be some loss of flavour. The leaves can also be stored in a refrigerator for a few weeks. Collect the seeds and store in a jar for pickles and vinegar making. The flower heads and seeds are often used in making vinegars and oils.

Medicinal uses for Dill:

Dill has been used to aid digestive problems for many years, the most known use is in gripe water for babies and young children. Make a tea out of an infusion of dill leaves or crushed seeds, and drink after a meal to help soothe stomach problems.

Happy Gardening!

Herb Gardening: Herbs are becoming recognised more and more as superfoods, as if we didn't know that really! 'Herb Gardening' has been beautifully put together by the publisher (Crowood Press) into a well presented book with full colour photos.

You'll also find gardening advice as well as some ideas on planning a herb garden. Order it now direct from the publisher... Herb Gardening

www.flower-and-garden-tips.com/dill.html