How To Grow Dill | Dill Growing Guide

Introduction

Dill is a soft, feathery herb that is popular in the culinary world. It's simple to grow and harvest, with a fresh, delicate flavour that can be stirred through creamy sauces or sprinkled over fish and salads. Easy to grow and quick to harvest, this herb is a favourite for kitchen gardens.

Keep reading for tips on how to grow dill, including when to grow dill and what varieties to choose for the best results.

When to grow dill

Dill is best grown outdoors from April through July, once the soil has begun to warm. However, if you're planning to sow indoors, or in a polytunnel, you can grow it year-round. It's worth noting that dill seedlings don’t like being transplanted, so it’s best to sow seeds where you want the plant to grow.

How to plant dill

How to grow dill from seed

You can master how to grow dill from seeds at home by following these simple steps:

Fill small pots or a modular tray with moist, multi-purpose compost or prepare a sunny outdoor bed with fine, free-draining soil. Sow dill seeds about 1cm deep, covering lightly with compost or soil.
Place the plants on a bright windowsill or in a polytunnel to protect seedlings from the cold weather. If sowing outdoors, choose a warm, sheltered position in full sun. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged as the seeds germinate.
Once seedlings appear, ensure they receive plenty of light. Continue to water them during dry spells. If growing indoors, harden off young plants gradually by moving them outside during the day before eventually leaving them out permanently.
Young dill plants should be spaced around 20cm apart to give them room to grow. Certain compact varieties can also be planted in a container approximately 30cm wide and deep. Proper spacing helps plants develop strong stems and promotes good airflow.
If outdoors, keep the surrounding area weed-free and water regularly during dry weather. Harvest the leaves little and often to encourage bushier growth and delay flowering.
If you don't want the flowers or seeds, cut back flower stems so the plant purely focuses on producing new leaves for as long as possible.

Can you grow dill from store-bought plants?

It’s a common misconception that store-bought dill can be propagated. While cuttings left in water may sprout tiny roots within a week or two, they won’t develop a proper tap root. Any roots that do form draw energy from the leaves rather than supporting growth, so growing dill successfully this way is unlikely. For reliable results, it’s best to start from fresh seeds or healthy seedlings

How long does dill take to grow?

Dill is a quick-growing herb, in typical UK conditions:

Germination occurs after 10-14 days.
Leaf harvesting can be done about 8 weeks after sowing.
Flowering (bolting) happens about 8-10 weeks after sowing.

Dill varieties

Several dill varieties grow in the UK, these include:

Bouquet: This variety of dill has a strong flavour and grows a large number of flowers and seed heads.
Dukat: Dukat is prized for its aromatic leaves, which add flavour to salads, soups, sauces and a variety of other dishes. It bolts later than many other dill varieties, allowing it to remain in its leafy, productive stage for longer.
Fernleaf: A smaller variety of dill, making it ideal for smaller gardens or if you're growing in containers.
Mammoth: This variety of dill is known for being tall and producing large, flavourful leaves.

How to grow dill with Premier Polytunnels

Growing dill successfully requires the right environment and Premier Polytunnels can help you with that. We provide polytunnels and accessories that create a warm, sheltered space that protects young dill plants from the wind and cold, encouraging a strong growth and longer harvesting. With a range of different sizes suited for both commercial and domestic use, our polytunnels make it easy to enjoy a reliable supply of fresh, aromatic dill.

For personalised advice on which polytunnel is right for you, call our team on 01282 811250 or email info@premierpolytunnels.co.uk, and check out our blog for more growing tips.