Dill (Anethum graveolens) is a herbaceous plant of the family Apiaceaeused as aromatic annual. Its leaves and seeds are edible. Dill is used fresh or dry. It deliciously flavors fish, certain meats, potatoes, salads and many other culinary preparations. We appreciate its slightly aniseed flavor similar to that of fennel. To always have Dill on hand, the good idea is to cultivate it in a jar or in the ground in the garden. Let’s see how to meet the needs of this undemanding plant to harvest enough Dill to enhance many dishes.
Plant dill
Just buy some Dill plants in pots to be able to plant in place from April until the end of June when the night temperature does not drop below 9°C. The risk of late frosts should therefore no longer be feared. In case of doubt, it is strongly recommended to plant Dill in a pot under shelter (greenhouse, frame, etc.).
The procedure is as follows:
- Prepare the site by properly loosening the garden soil and carefully weeding.
- Immerse the cups in the water for a quarter of an hour in order to rehydrate the clods well which must be perfectly soaked.
- Dig holes moderately wider and deeper than buckets.
- Remove the clods from the buckets carefully so as not to break the roots when handling the plants.
- Position one root ball per planting hole so that the surface is flush with the ground.
- Respect an interval from 20 to 25 cm in all directions.
- Fill the holes with the previously amended soil.
- Gently tamp the soil around the dill plants.
- Sprinkle with the watering can.
You can also opt for the semi in place of Aneth, during the spring, preferably when the rays of the spring sun have warmed the garden soil well. This must be at 15°C for growth to begin after about ten days. To do this, we sow the seeds of Dill in line after having drawn a furrow then we water in fine rain. As soon as the young plants have four leaves, it’s time toclear up the row so that the plants that you want to keep are spaced from each other by about twenty centimeters. It is important to leave the plants in place because Dill does not like to be transplanted.
Growing Dill
Dill should preferably be installed under the sun et sheltered from the wind. His preference is for a rich and light soil containing soil and sand, perfectly drained. It tolerates ordinary garden soil as long as it is loose, but does not really appreciate heavy, compact soils that retain water, nor acidic soils.
Plante little greedy, Dill can be grown in the same place for three or four years in a row. It is therefore not necessary to integrate it into the annual crop rotation. On the other hand, care should be taken not to grow Dill where parsley, carrots, fennel or even celery, coriander, parsnips have been planted during the three previous years, all of which are plants of the family Apiaceae.
Caring for Dill
Dill cultivation poses no difficulty particular because this plant is undemanding. To guarantee its growth, you simply need to amend the soil just before planting with an old-fashioned type fertilizer. algae-enriched horse manure. Failing that, a compost can be quite suitable, or even a universal potting soil.
Water
Sensitive to drought, Dill requires a moderate watering but very regular so that the soil is always fresh for several weeks after planting. Thanks to this continuous watering, the plants have every chance of developing well.
Weed
It is necessary that weed regularly between the Dill plants so that weeds do not compete with this herbaceous plant. The more frequently the weeds are weeded, the less chance there is of spontaneously growing weeds invading the cultivated area.
Mulch
A mulch allowswater less frequently since it maintains a certain humidity and limit weeding sessions by slowing the development of weeds.
Pests and diseases
Beware of slugs and to snails who delight in the tender young leaves of many aromatic plants, and Dill is no exception to the rule. As far as diseases are concerned, let us note that it is not there not particularly sensitive when grown in good conditions. For example, care is taken to space the plants to allow air to circulate between them, which limits the risk of fungal diseases.
Harvest Dill
It is from the beginning of summer until autumn, which is approximately 2 months after sowingthat we can harvest dill leaves. The ideal is to have opted for planting periods or deferred sowing allowing the harvests to be spread out.
The leaves are picked as needed, if possible just before the flowering period because it is at this moment that their aromatic quality reaches its peak. If several feet of dill have been planted, the harvest is obviously substantial. It may therefore be necessary to save the sheets for later use. The best solution is to store them in small airtight boxes that are placed in the freezer. Some people prefer to dry them and simply store them in a jar or spice box.
Environ 5 months after sowingwe also collect the Dill seeds which are groceries. They should be removed as soon as they take on a dark brown color. Be careful not to wait too long because ready-made seeds easily fall to the ground. This is also how Dill reseeds itself spontaneously. Once harvested, the seeds should be dried in a shady place. They can then be kept in a box which closes hermetically.
Finally, if you want to eat fresh herbs even in winter, you can easily grow dill in a pot at home. This plant will naturally find its place in front of the kitchen window.