How to grow Dill

Anethum graveolens

🌿 Herb 🌱 Grown each year

Dill (Anethum graveolens) is a versatile hardy annual herb with lovely feathery leaves and a unique, distinct aniseed flavour. Both leaves and seeds are used culinarily, complementing fish, chicken, and salads. It grows up to 90cm tall, produces cute star-like flowers, and attracts bees. Best direct sown due to its dislike of root disturbance, as transplanting can cause bolting.

At a glance: Sow mid April to mid July, harvest from mid June.

When to sow, plant and harvest

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Sow outdoors

Harvest

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

Growing Dill: what it needs

Light: Full sun · 6+ hours a day
Watering: Regularly, keep soil moist but not waterlogged
Soil: Well-drained, prefers poor to average soil · pH 6.0–7.0
Spacing: 20-25cm apart
In pots: Grows well in containers
Feeding: No heavy feeding required; prefers poor soil.
Harvest: About 70 days from sowing
Hardiness: USDA zones 3–9
Difficulty: Easy

Step by step

Mid April – mid July · around the last spring frost
Sow Dill Seeds Outdoors
Direct sow seeds thinly in a drill 1cm deep, in rows 25cm apart. Sow every 3-4 weeks for successional harvests. Prefers full sun and well-drained, poor soil.
10–14 days after “Sow Dill Seeds Outdoors” · Late April
Check Dill Germination
Dill seedlings should emerge in 10-14 days. Keep soil consistently moist.
7 days after “Check Dill Germination” · Early May
Thin Dill Seedlings
Thin seedlings to 20-25cm apart to allow for proper growth and air circulation. If indoor-sown, prepare for transplanting.
21 days after “Thin Dill Seedlings” · Late May
Provide Dill Support (optional)
Dill can grow up to 90cm and may need support with canes or netting, especially in windy areas, to prevent lodging.
28–42 days after “Provide Dill Support” · Mid June – early July
Harvest Dill Leaves
Begin harvesting leaves 10-12 weeks from sowing. Pick regularly to prevent flowering and bolting. Use sparingly as a little goes a long way, and add at the end of cooking to preserve flavour.
28 days after “Harvest Dill Leaves” · Mid July
Harvest Dill Flowers (optional)
If you allow some plants to flower, harvest the star-like flowers about 14 weeks from sowing. They can be used fresh or dried as cut flowers.
22–52 days after “Harvest Dill Flowers” · Early August – early September
Harvest Dill Seeds (optional)
If growing for seeds, allow plants to flower and form seed pods (4-5 months from sowing). Pick when pods have formed and hang upside down in a paper bag to dry. Be careful, as dill self-seeds very easily.
14 days after “Harvest Dill Seeds” · Late August
Clear Spent Dill Plants
As an annual, dill will die back after setting seed. Remove spent plants to prevent unwanted self-seeding or to prepare the bed for new crops.