Last week, I wrote a blog on chives—one of my favorite herbs. This week, I’m going to write about dill—another one of my favorite herbs!
Dill is a member of the Apiaceae family, which makes it related to carrots, parsley, fennel, cilantro, cumin, caraway, and even celery. All of these have edible and flavorful foliage. Yes, even carrot foliage is edible and can be tossed into salads. Carrot greens contain an impressive list of nutrients, including significant amounts of vitamin A, dietary fiber, vitamin C, calcium, and iron.
To Grow Your Own
Because Dill has a long taproot, it does not transplant well, so it is best started from seed. Plant the seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in well-draining soil in a sunny area. Plant seeds 1 to 2 inches apart. If planting in rows, space rows 12 inches apart.
Dill is a Great Companion Plant
Now, dill can be a great companion plant for certain other plants. It is perfect planted with cucumber family members such as cucumbers, squash and melons, brassicas (such as cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower) and asparagus because the flowers attract parasitic wasps, hoverflies, ladybugs, and other beneficial insects that can attack “bad guys” like cucumber beetles, squash bugs and cabbage worms. Dill’s fragrance can also help repel certain other insects, such as aphids.
Do not plant dill near tomatoes or peppers as they will compete for the same nutrients in the soil and both may wind up a bit short. Also, don’t plant near other members of the carrot family as they can interfere with root development.
Do You Like Butterflies?
Do keep in mind that dill and other members of the carrot family are host plants for Black Swallowtail butterflies. Because I DO NOT EVER want to kill a pollinator, I simply plant a big pot of dill and sit it on my deck. If caterpillars show up on the dill in my garden, I simply move them to “their” pot on my deck.
Dill is a great addition to your garden and your dinner table. It’s easy to grow and is a tasty delight for your meals.