How to Harvest and Preserve Dill for Year-Round Use?

12 March 2024

The tender, fern-like leaves of dill almost beg to be touched. If you want to cook them, trim the fresh dill foliage and gather the seeds for pickling. Or you can chop the feathery leaves and yellow umbels for attractive bouquets of homegrown flowers.

In addition, black swallowtail caterpillars love to feed on it. Its tiny yellow blooms are great at drawing in a wide range of pollinators. Dill grows as an annual for summer harvests in USDA Hardiness Zones 2–8. In other parts, it may self-seed and is hardy in the winter in Zones 9–11.

Here is everything you need to know about how to harvest dill. Keep reading for a comprehensive guide.

How to Harvest Dill?

Fresh dill clips easily, but it soon starts to droop. Sounds familiar to Cilantro, right? Its flower umbels may look lovely in a mixed bouquet, but after a few hours, don’t be shocked if they start to wilt. When harvesting dill for recipes, use it as soon as possible because its flavor starts to fade after a few days.

Cut off the flower stalks of dill after the yellow blooms have faded but before the seeds start to ripen and come away from the umbel. Cover the entire flower head with a small paper bag that has a few tiny holes for ventilation.

Hang the plant upside down in a cool, dry place. Watch for the seeds to fall and collect them in the bag’s bottom. The seeds should be kept in a cool, dry, and dark area in an airtight glass container.

When and How to Plant Dill?

Dill grows best outside and is simple to start from seed. Plant the seeds directly into the ground, 1/4 inch deep and spaced 1 to 2 inches apart, in the springtime following the last frost. If you want the dill plants to be able to self-sow, plant the seeds in tufts so the seeds can fall and sprout the following year.

Or you can plant them in rows spaced about 6 inches apart. You might want to think about succession planting if you want a reliable supply of dill. During the growing season, start by planting a small number of seeds from the packet at a time and then a few more every week.

Typically, seeds take 7 to 14 days to germinate. Also, dill can be grown from transplants grown in nurseries planted in the ground or in containers in spring. You can plant dill outside a few weeks before the last predicted spring frost because it can withstand light frost.

To achieve lush growth and stop crowded seedlings from producing seed heads, which stops the production of foliage, thinning is essential. Every 12 to 24 inches, reduce the number of seedlings to just the strongest one once they reach 3 or 4 inches in height.

As they get bigger, some start to flop. Plants can be kept upright by placing a stake or a sturdy twig in the ground close to the plant’s base. To loosely secure the plant to the stake, use garden twine.

You can start the dill seeds indoors four to six weeks prior to the last frost. And you can move the seedlings to the ground once the risk of frost has passed. Transplanting mature dill does not work well, so plant your seedlings where they will be able to grow and thrive.

Where To Plant Dill?

Dill should be planted in a spot with well-drained soil and at least 6 to 8 hours of daily full, direct sunlight. Particularly for cottage gardens, the delicate foliage gives garden beds and borders textural interest. Choose a location for your dill that will shield it from the wind if possible.

Just like spinach, high winds can easily damage its stalks if you do not stake the dill. You can plant dill’s fragrant foliage in perennial garden container plantings. Or you can plant them alongside other herbs or vegetables in a traditional kitchen garden.

In an edible garden, cruciferous vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, collard greens, broccoli, and cabbage are good companion plants for dill. Dill draws beneficial insects like ladybugs and bees and drives away common brassica pests like loopers and cabbage worms.

But avoid planting dill close to carrots. Carrots can be stunted by dill, and because they are closely related, dill can cross-pollinate with carrots to produce inferior hybrid plants. Planting dill close to tomatoes is also not recommended.

Mature dill will probably stunt your tomatoes’ growth, even though some studies have indicated that tomatoes and dill can be beneficial companions when they are young.

How to Propagate Dill?

Seed is the most effective method of dill propagation. Cuttings can also propagate Dill, though this isn’t as dependable.

Seed: Direct sow the dill seeds in early spring at a depth of 1/4 inch in a prepared garden bed. Dill does not tolerate transplanting well. Thin the seedlings so they are 12–24 inches apart when they are 3–4 inches tall.

Cuttings: Using shears or scissors, cut off the stem with at least 3 to 4 inches of new growth to take a dill cutting. Place the cutting in a water-filled container, making sure to remove any leaves below the water’s surface, and allow the roots to grow for two to three weeks.

Fertilizer and rooting hormones are not required. Plant the dill in a container or on the ground once the roots are 2 to 3 inches long.

Is Dill a Type of Weed?

No, I am not talking about WEED weed (read: marijuana). Although dill isn’t technically a weed, some individuals and spice companies call the plant dill weed, possibly due to its feathery leaves. Dill weed is a dried or fresh foliage plant. Flower umbels are yellow and used to make dill seeds.

How Should Dill Be Stored for Optimal Quality?

You can keep fresh dill in the fridge by wrapping its leaves in a moist paper towel. Or you can tuck its stems into a container of water. Fresh dill can be frozen by submerging it in water in ice cube trays. Place the cubes in cooked dishes that have enough moisture to withstand them.

Dill seeds and leaves can also be easily dried for later use, though the flavor is a lot more muted.

Water and Soil

Sow dill in soil that is moist but well-drained. If there is a lot of clay in your soil, add organic matter to the top few inches to aid in drainage. If you have trouble with poor soil drainage, plant this herb in raised beds or containers. Growing dill requires proper irrigation.

As the seeds germinate, keep the soil evenly moist. Dill plants require one to two inches of rain or extra water each week once they begin to grow.

Humidity and Temperature

Dill tolerates temperatures as low as 25ºF, but 70ºF is the ideal temperature for it. Dill often bolts, sending up flower stalks to set seeds when temperatures rise. This annual herb dies after it flowers and produces seeds. Get rid of the flowers to prolong the plant’s growing season.

Apply Fertilizer

While most herbs, including dill, don’t require extra fertilizer, you can give them once or twice during the growing season by applying a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer. When planting, either mix a liquid fertilizer with water or etch a time-release fertilizer into the soil.

Refer to the product label for instructions on how much to use.

Trimming

Dill should be pruned early in the growing season to prevent limb bending. Cut off the top leaves of the plant to promote more growth of the lower leaves. Food preparation and cooking can be done with anything that has been pruned.

Repotting and Potting

You can grow dill in pots on a sunny balcony or deck, even if you don’t have an outdoor garden. Due to the deep taproot that dill plants have, choose a container that is at least 12 inches deep. Because clay and terracotta pots don’t retain as much moisture as plastic or glazed ceramic pots.

They are ideal for growing dill. Make sure the container you select has good drainage and is big enough to allow you to space your plants 12 to 24 inches apart. It is best to start over in a new, larger container. Especially if your dill plant outgrows its current one because it does not take well to transplant.

If the temperature where you are planting is not too high, you can keep planting seeds into the summer.

Types of Dill

Dills can be of many types with each of their distinct looks and flavors. Here are the three different types of dill you can grow in your kitchen or backyard.

Long Island Mammoth

Also known as Long Island Mammoth this one is an old-time favorite. Its fern-like leaves can be dried and stored for a long time, or they can be harvested fresh. It produces big clusters of yellow flowers with flat tops. They turn into brown seed heads, and they can reach a height of five feet.

Fernleaf

Grown to a height of only 18 inches, Anethum graveolens, or Fernleaf, is a highly productive dwarf variety. It works well in container gardens or small in-ground beds. Its feathery, delicate foliage has a great flavor of dill. From midsummer into fall, it blossoms.

Bouquet

The ‘Bouquet’ cultivar produces plants up to thirty inches tall with fine bluish-green foliage. The enormous, six-inch-diameter yellow flower heads are ideal for drying, creating an enduring arrangement. Or you could chop them for fresh floral arrangements.

How to Keep New Dill Fresh?

Dill weed quickly wilts after harvesting and gradually loses its distinctive flavor and aroma. If you know how to store your freshly harvested dill, this shouldn’t be a problem. Here are two straightforward techniques that you can use:

Put It in the Crisper Drawer of the Refrigerator

Loosely wrap the recently cut and cleaned leaves in damp kitchen towels before putting them in a container or sealed bag. Put the container in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator, which has a lower humidity than the other sections of the appliance.

Utilize the herbs before they begin to wilt and dry out, which should happen in a few days.

Put It in Water

To make this method function, when harvesting the herb, you must cut off the entire stem. After gathering the stems, put them in a glass of water and seal the opening with a plastic bag. Every day, change the water. Unlike potatoes, dill leaves can remain fresh for up to a week when stored in this manner.

How to Freeze Fresh Dill?

Freezing is the best way to preserve extra dill for later use if you’ve harvested more than you can use at once or in a few days. Dill freezes most effectively when chopped into smaller pieces and added to ice cube trays with just enough water to cover the freshly minced dill.

This allows the herbs to be kept for four months or longer. This will ensure you always have dill on hand for when a recipe calls for it.

How to Dry Fresh Dill?

Dried fresh dill is a popular method if you’re searching for another way to store dill for a long time. The herb has many uses, even though it won’t have as much flavor as when it’s fresh or frozen. All year long, you can use it as a herb in cooked dishes or to make tea.

Stick to hang-drying if you don’t want much of the flavor to be lost. This is a very easy method to use. All you must do is gather a few dill leaves and then bind them with a string. Later, place them in an area with adequate ventilation upside down.

Place them in an airtight container once they’re crumbling and dry. Even though fresh dill is always preferable, make sure to save some for later use. Particularly if you don’t have a year-round indoor herb and spice garden.

Wrapping Up

Growing dill is a great way to add flavor to fish and seafood dishes. A little goes a long way because fresh dill leaves have a strong licorice flavor. It is best that you add dill toward the end of cooking, in salads, or as a garnish for soups. Because once cooked, it tends to lose its flavor.

If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask about how to harvest dill, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!

Read Also:

Ankita Tripathy

Ankita Tripathy loves to write about food and the Hallyu Wave in particular. During her free time, she enjoys looking at the sky or reading books while sipping a cup of hot coffee. Her favourite niches are food, music, lifestyle, travel, and Korean Pop music and drama.

View all posts

Small Kitchen Storage Ideas

If you have a small kitchen, you could find it challenging to organize it and keep your space clutter-free. When you continue to struggle with small kitchen storage, then it’s time to assess how you organize everything. This will help you maximize every inch of kitchen space and ensure that no valuable space is wasted. Top-rated house cleaning in Tucson goes over step by step how to accomplish this task. How To Organize Small Kitchen If you are struggling with storage space, here are a few affordable small kitchen storage ideas to make life a little easier. 1. Tension rod No doubt, a small kitchen could mean having a tough time arranging essentials. But a tension rod can come in handy, especially to keep cleaning supplies safely. Hang your kitchen cleaning supplies from a short tension rod where they are easy to access. What’s more, you can hang rubber cleaning gloves on the tension rod. Your dish-drying towels too can be hidden from plain sight on a tension rod installed in the cabinet. 2. Use up the wall space Another small kitchen storage idea is to leverage the wall space to store kitchen accessories. Free up the drawer space and use the walls instead of clutter-free storage. You may stash knives on a magnetic rack to make access easy when food preparation is underway. 3. Stack on the rack One interesting small kitchen storage solution is to locate a bookshelf near the kitchen to store mist essential cooking supplies. You may leverage the space to stack spices, dishware, and even cookbooks. 4. Hang baskets When it comes to organizing a small kitchen, baskets can come in handy to stack kitchen utensils and cleaning supplies. Better still, you may hang a couple of baskets above a sink to leverage the vacant space. It’s one of the best ideas to stack wet dishes and sponges for quick drying. Another stylish kitchen storage solution is to hang a wire basket from the ceiling. It could be single or multi-tiered, depending on your storage needs. You can store potatoes, onions, garlic, and any other stuff that also adds visual interest to your kitchen. 5. Floating shelves Another kitchen storage idea is to add a pair of floating shelves for that extra storage space. This comes in handy if your kitchen lacks room for cabinetry. Easy to install, floating shelves can be hung just about anywhere – even under the bottom shelf. You can hang hand towels, utensils, or coffee mugs. 6. Corner drawer A small kitchen has little space. But with some creative ideas, you can create smart kitchen storage solutions. The corner drawer is one such space-saving storage idea in a small kitchen, especially for awkward corners. These drawers connect the corners diagonally. As a result, they can pack a lot of stuff that horizontal cabinets cannot. 7. Utensil drawer When your small kitchen lacks space for crockery and silverware, opt for a built-in utensil drawer. One similar DIY solution, which is affordable as well, is to place stainless steel pots in a deep drawer that has little space. Use these pots for holding small kitchen accessories. 8. Adopt a pantry Another way to make a small kitchen look bigger is to de-clutter the space by adding a pantry. It is a good storage solution that provides easy access while freeing up the burden on over-stuffed cabinets. 9. On-the-go space A portable kitchen trolley is a handy addition to a small kitchen. Take it anywhere while it safely stores bulky items. It works like an excellent solution to wheel food to the dining table. 10. Wall-mounted cabinets Get a little creative with the kitchen décor when you are looking for tips to organize a small kitchen. You may choose a mix of open shelves to show off your favorite cutlery and wall-mounted cabinets to keep stuff out of sight. Leave some gap between the two to create the impression of extra storage. Picture ledges and hooks can free up the work surface and spruce up the décor. 11. Velcro strips Velcro strips can come to your rescue in a small kitchen, where you are short on storage space. Attach these strips in two spots to hang towels and other similar stuff to save space. 12. File folders as racks While a file folder sits empty in your garage, why not put it to the right use in the kitchen? You may be surprised to see that it can be used smartly to organize your kitchen. They come in especially handy to store your kitchen cleaning supplies. Just place all the supplies into the file folders and you do not have to worry about a shortage of space. Read Also: The New Trend: Drawer Boxes 7 Expert Hacks for Downsizing to a Smaller Apartment Design your Kitchen According to Your Budget and Work in Organized Manner Top Secrets That Slash Your Kitchen Remodeling Bill in Half 10 Unique Kitchen Hacks to Save your Time in Kitchen and Cooking 7 Unique Kitchen Design Ideas That Your Family Will Enjoy

How to Solve the Biggest Problems in Blocked Drains

Many things can clog a drain in a tub or sink by blocking nooks and crannies in its plumbing system. The big benefit is that there are easy ways to eliminate different clogs, and you can achieve practical results by using the solutions in this guide. Bent Hanger A hanger can extract hair and goo that blocks a drain in a tub or sink. To use a hanger, you'll need to take it apart so that its hook can travel down the drain. When wiggling the hook around, ensure that it doesn't push the debris down the pipe. You can avoid this problem by maneuvering the hook around in a circle before pulling it up. The rotation will help you grab debris that's lodged against the walls in the drain. Once you've removed most of the debris, eliminate the lingering particles by running the hot water. Baking Soda and Vinegar A baking soda and vinegar solution can get rid of a general clog. To make the solution, mix 1/3 cup of vinegar with 1/3 cup of baking soda. When the mixture fizzes, pour it down the drain so that the bubbles can dissolve sticky grime that's causing the clog. If possible, let the solution set in the drain for 24 hours. Then, flush the drain thoroughly with hot tap water. When a drain has a heavy clog, pour the baking soda down the drain first. Then, gradually pour the vinegar into the drain. This strategy will give the solution an opportunity to activate the source of the clog. Vacuum A wet and dry vacuum can pull up the is that's stuck in the upper portion of a drain. The suction power is very important as it can impact how effectively a vac extracts debris, to ensure that your vacuum has an efficient motor. To use a vacuum, adjust it to the highest setting. Then, place the hose over the drain. If the debris isn't too dry or stiff, the vacuum will remove it. Tumbling Water When your plumbing system has a clog that's tough to access, you can remove it by pouring boiling water down a drain. If you have a kettle, you can use it to bring the water to a boil, or you can boil water in the microwave. While the water is boiling, pour it slowly down the drain in stages, and wait a few seconds between each pour. To avoid burn injuries, hover the kettle or pot close to the drain so that the water doesn't splash. Caustic Soda Caustic soda contains sodium hydroxide, which is a risky substance that can produce chemical burns. As a result, you must wear dense rubber gloves and protective goggles when using caustic soda. Because caustic soda is strong, you'll need to combine it with ¾ gallons of cold tap water. For a general clog, you'll only need three cups of soda. To mix the soda, stir it around in the water with a wooden spoon. The mixture will begin to fizz as it heats up during this process. At this point, pour the solution down the drain, and let it sit there for about half an hour. Then, use boiling water to flush the drain. Pipe Maintenance General maintenance is an easy way to unclog a drain underneath a sink. Begin by placing a bucket below the trap. The bucket will capture water that spills after the trap is removed. To remove the trap pipe, gradually loosen it with a plumber's wrench. While the trap is detached, lift the housing, and rotate it until the trap is upside down. The source of the clog should drop on the ground. If nothing drops, use a tool to fish out the debris. Salt and Baking Soda Thick blockages will break down when they're treated with strong chemicals. The easiest way to create a chemical reaction that's powerful enough to destroy heavy grime is by mixing ½ cup of baking soda with ½ cup of salt in a drain. After the solution sets for about 20 minutes, rinse it down the drain with boiling water. Dish Detergent Dish detergent can eliminate clogs in a toilet bowl if it's mixed with hot water. The soapy suds are effective because they strategically break down dry debris. For an average clog, you'll only need to mix ½ cup of dish soap and a cup of hot water in the bowl. Vinegar and Baking Soda Tubs have the toughest clogs since a lot of dirt and grime travels through the drains each day. To get rid of thick debris, you'll need to loosen the goo, and the best solution for this task is made with a combination of baking soda and vinegar. To treat a clog, pour the solution down the drain. Then, cover the drain with a stopper. At this point, let the solution set for about 45 minutes, and pull the stopper off the drain. As the water exits the tub, the pressure will get rid of the blockage that was weakened by the vinegar and baking soda. Plunger Plungers can get rid of a clog in the toilet bowl. When using a plunger, totally submerge it underwater. The rubber portion of the bell should touch the housing in a sink or toilet. Once you have a good grip, push and pull the handle rapidly for about 20 seconds. Then, lift the plunger, and let the water escape out of the drain. Whenever the process of unclogging a fixture is too complicated, seek help from a professional plumber. If you want great service options, considering working with Canberra Blocked Drains Definitive Plumbing. Read Also: The 7 Most Common Types Of Plumbing Problems 8 Plumbing Myths Busted 4 Tips For Finishing A Basement

Top Expert Tips for a Stunning Condo Interior!

With industrialization taking the spotlight in many cities, it’s easy to understand why there are a lot of people who choose to find a temporary or permanent residence in the rural areas near their workplace. Condo unit in Cebu is among the most popular picks both for locals and non-locals who wish to have an accessible property within the central city. Given the huge number of real estate companies that now have a lot of units offered, it shouldn’t be much of a problem to find a place that fits your preference and needs well. For those who already purchased their units, the next challenge comes with the need to beautify and enhance the looks of the current unit they own. Condominiums tend to have synonymous designs on all their units so it’s in the hand of the unit owner to personalize the space however he or she wants. Take a look at the following expert tips that can help you achieve that stunning look you hope for. Plan every detail: There is no substitute for planning in interior design. Even professional designers spend time creating a blueprint on how they would beautify an interior. You must do the same. By planning, you get to identify the specific areas of your home in need of enhancements as well as those that can do well without the current furniture you’ve placed on them. If you want to move your furniture around the condo, you need to ensure that you do not end up damaging the same or scraping the new and expensive floor. One great way that you can manage this is by using furniture wheels. This will allow you to move your chairs, sofa sets, and other items without worrying about the need that you will damage them. The more detailed you are in the planning, the better. This also saves you time from having to decide while working. Maximize the use of graphic images on doors or walls: Condo units have vacant spaces that look dull in the absence of accessories. A lot of homeowners use paintings or huge, laminated photos to hang on those vacant spaces, but your option is not just limited to such. You can go for customized printed glasses or wallpapers to add color to those spaces. By personalizing the prints, you’re also adding a hint of identity to your unit. Place accessories such as tables and drapes in front of a full-length window: Full-length windows are attractive because they give you an awesome view of the outside landscape. However, they may not look that attractive when it comes to the overall quality of your interior design. They can look intimidating and may give the illusion of dullness especially if you don’t have much furniture inside. Read also: Experts Recommend: Top Interior Design Trends For 2017 A good way to remedy this would be to put tables directly in front of the window or set up drapes to help provide the frame. Pick bright, minor accessories: Choosing the right accessories can be tricky as they need to highlight the main aspect of your interior without stealing the spotlight from it. Experts suggest that you pick small accessories like vases, flower pots, candles, and pen holders in brighter shades. Achieve balance in the interior. Darker furniture may look great in your personal office space. Balance is a necessary element in interior design. Experts found that using darker furniture makes the available space look bigger. Plus, they can blend well in just about any area within your condo unit. Read also: Interiors to Reduce the Heat Build-up in Your Homes The brighter accessories will do great on these items too. Don’t overcrowd: One common mistake a lot of homeowners do is to place too many items inside their place. While the idea of buying many pieces of furniture may seem like a good thing, it’s not necessarily a strategic thing to do especially when you have a small unit. If any, this would only make the place look smaller and will most certainly impede mobility. You can decorate without having to buy too much. A good rule of thumb would be to settle for the item you need most. There is no use in buying tools which you will not be using. The looks of your personal condo unit are dependent on how well you design it. The tips we mentioned are guidelines on how to make the place look appealing, but at the end of the day, the decision lies in your hands. If you can’t decide where to start your redesign, a good way to be motivated is to look at images online and see how other people improved the looks of their units. Be inspired and start decorating your own place!