Plant flowers and goes to seed quickly

Natural bolting hastened by heat or stress. Sow successively every few weeks and harvest foliage young; let some flower for pollinators.

Seedlings die after transplanting

Dill has a fragile taproot that hates being moved. Sow seed directly in place rather than starting indoors.

Weak stems on leggy, crowded plants. Thin to proper spacing and stake or grow shorter bouquet varieties.

Aphid infestation. Spray off with water or invite ladybugs, which dill itself attracts.

Gardening

A feathery annual herb that flavors pickles and attracts beneficial insects. Hates being transplanted, so sow it where it will grow.

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Sun

Full sun

Hardiness zones

Zones 3–11

Spacing

8–12 in apart; thin seedlings rather than transplanting.

Soil

Light, well-draining soil of average fertility; pH 5.5–6.5.

Watering

Moderate, even moisture of about 1 in/week; let the surface dry slightly between waterings.

Plant / sow (typical)

Apr – Jun

Harvest (typical)

Jun – Sep

Starting

Direct sow seed 1/4 in deep after frost; resents root disturbance. Succession sow for a continuous leaf supply.

Companions

Good with Cabbage, Cucumber, Onion. Keep apart from Carrot, Fennel.

Plant flowers and goes to seed quickly. Natural bolting hastened by heat or stress. Sow successively every few weeks and harvest foliage young; let some flower for pollinators.
Seedlings die after transplanting. Dill has a fragile taproot that hates being moved. Sow seed directly in place rather than starting indoors.
Tall plants flop over in wind or rain. Weak stems on leggy, crowded plants. Thin to proper spacing and stake or grow shorter bouquet varieties.
Clusters of green or black aphids on stems. Aphid infestation. Spray off with water or invite ladybugs, which dill itself attracts.