Out of season right now. The next sowing window opens in April.
Growing Calendar
This month: Oct
Plan ahead for this crop
- •Check growing conditions
- •Prepare for next stage
Watch Out For
Bolts quickly in hot, dry weather or if transplanted, cutting the leafy harvest short. Sow direct and keep watering consistent through dry spells
Grown near fennel, the two can cross-pollinate and both suffer for it. Keep dill and fennel well apart, or grow only one of the two in any given year
Aphids cluster on the feathery foliage. Blast off with a hose and encourage ladybirds and hoverflies rather than reaching for a spray
Common Questions
About growing Dill in the UK
Why has my dill run to flower so quickly?
Dill bolts readily in hot, dry weather or if the roots have been disturbed. Sow direct, water consistently through dry spells, and sow little and often through summer for a longer leafy harvest.
Can I grow dill and fennel together?
Better not to. Both are in the same family and cross-pollinate freely, which can affect the flavour and seed of both if allowed to flower near each other. Keep them at opposite ends of the plot, or grow only one in a given year.
How do I collect dill seed?
Leave a late sowing to flower and set seed rather than cutting it back. Once the seed heads turn brown and dry, cut them into a paper bag and let them finish drying somewhere airy before storing the seed in a sealed jar.
Why are my dill plants sparse and leggy?
This is usually a sign of overcrowding or insufficient light. Thin seedlings promptly to 20cm apart and grow in a spot with at least six hours of direct sun.
Written from real growing experience, organic methods only. Our story · Our approach
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