GROWING AND USING DILL

Dill is an easy, fast-growing annual herb that does especially well in Tennessee gardens during spring and fall.

Best Conditions

• Sun: Full sun (6–8+ hours daily)

• Soil: Loose, well-drained soil

• Water: Keep evenly moist while young

• Temperature: Prefers cooler weather; may bolt in intense summer heat

How to Plant

Sow seeds directly outdoors after frost danger passes.

Plant seeds about ¼ inch deep.

Space plants 8–12 inches apart.

Seeds usually sprout in 7–14 days.

Dill dislikes transplanting because of its long taproot, so direct sowing works best.

Growing Tips for Nashville

• Plant in early spring and again in late summer for a fall crop.

• Succession sow every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvests.

• Taller varieties may need support in windy areas.

• Let some flowers mature if you want seeds or pollinator benefits.

Companion Planting

Dill grows well near:

• cucumbers

• onions

• lettuce

• cabbage family plants

Avoid planting right beside carrots once mature because they can cross-pollinate.

Harvesting Dill

Dill Leaves (“dill weed”)

• Start harvesting when plants are about 8 inches tall.

• Snip feathery leaves as needed.

• Best flavor comes before flowering.

Dill Flowers & Seeds

• Yellow flower heads are excellent for pickling.

• Let seed heads dry on the plant for dill seed harvest.

How to Use Dill

Fresh Uses

Fresh dill has a bright, slightly tangy flavor.

Great in:

• potato salad

• cucumber salad

• eggs

• salmon

• yogurt sauces

• dips

• soups

• roasted vegetables

Classic Dill Pairings

Popular combinations:

• dill + cucumber

• dill + lemon

• dill + garlic

• dill + potatoes

• dill + sour cream

• dill + fish

Dill for Pickling

Use:

• fresh leaves

• flower heads

• seeds

Dill is classic in:

• cucumber pickles

• dilly beans

• pickled carrots

• refrigerator pickles

Drying Dill

• Hang bundles upside down in a dry place.

• Or use a dehydrator on low heat.

• Store in airtight jars away from light.

Freezing Dill

One of the best ways to preserve flavor:

• Chop and freeze in bags

• Or freeze in ice cubes with water or olive oil

Fresh dill usually keeps better frozen than dried.

Saving Seeds

Allow seed heads to fully brown:

Cut seed heads

Dry in paper bags

Shake out seeds

Store for cooking or replanting

Dill seeds are used in:

• pickles

• breads

• soups

• spice blends

• tea

If you want, I can also give you:

• the best dill varieties for Tennessee

• dill recipes

• how to grow dill in containers

• how to save dill seed step-by-step

• companion planting charts for dill

• ways to preserve large dill harvests