Planting and Growing Dill in Cold-Climate Gardens

Dill tastes bright and herbal with a soft anise note. The feathery leaves flavor salads, fish, and pickles. The seeds are warm and aromatic for baking and spice blends. Dill loves cool weather and light soil, which suits northern gardens. It grows fast from seed and can be sown many times for steady harvests. With even moisture, simple thinning, and timely cutting, you can grow dill in cold climates and enjoy fresh fronds and seed heads all season.

Dill Varieties Suitable for Cold Climates

  • Bouquet. Early, reliable leaves and seed heads for quick harvests.
  • Dukat. Leafy plants with rich flavor and good cool-weather performance.
  • Fernleaf. Compact plants for containers and small beds.
  • Mammoth. Tall plants that make large umbels for seed and pickling.
  • Hera. Dense foliage and slow bolt for steady leaf harvests.

Soil & Site Considerations for Dill

  • Choose full sun for 6–8 hours and light afternoon shade in hot spells.
  • Use well-drained loam or sandy loam that warms quickly in spring.
  • Aim for soil pH 6.0–7.0 for steady growth and good flavor.
  • Work in a small amount of compost and avoid heavy, fresh manure.
  • Protect young plants from strong wind with low hoops or a fence.

Planting and Spacing Dill in Cold Regions

  • Direct sow as soon as soil is 7–10 °C (45–50 °F) and workable.
  • Plant seeds 0.6–1.2 cm (¼–½ in) deep and keep soil moist for germination.
  • Thin seedlings to 10–20 cm (4–8 in) apart in rows 30–45 cm (12–18 in) apart.
  • Sow every 2–3 weeks until mid summer for a steady supply.
  • Transplant only with care because dill resents root disturbance.

Companion Plants for Dill

  • Grow with cabbage, broccoli, kale, and cucumbers to attract helpful insects.
  • Plant near onions and leeks to mix scents and confuse pests.
  • Let a few dill plants flower to feed hoverflies and lacewings.
  • Keep distance from carrots and cilantro to reduce competition and crowding.

Watering & Fertilizing Dill

  • Give 2–3 cm (¾–1¼ in) of water per week and more in dry wind.
  • Mulch lightly with straw or leaves to hold moisture and keep weeds down.
  • Use modest fertilizer; too much nitrogen makes weak, floppy plants.
  • Cut leaves in the morning for best flavor and quick recovery.

Extending the Season for Dill

  • Use row cover for early sowings to warm soil and protect from wind.
  • Grow a late sowing in August for fall leaves where autumn is mild.
  • Cover with fleece on cold nights to prevent tip burn.
  • Harvest seed heads as they turn brown and finish drying under cover.

Dill Crop Calendar

  • High-Latitude. Sow from late May to June. Harvest leaves from June to August. Gather seed in August.
  • Boreal. Sow from May to July. Harvest leaves from June to September. Gather seed from August to September.
  • Cool-Temperate. Sow from April to July. Harvest leaves from May to September. Gather seed from July to September.

Mistakes to Avoid When Growing Dill

  • Transplanting mature seedlings and shocking the roots.
  • Letting soil dry after germination and losing stands.
  • Overfertilizing and growing weak stems that lodge.
  • Skipping succession sowing and running out of fresh leaves.
  • Waiting too long to cut seed heads and losing seed to shatter.

Sustainability Checklist

  • Leave a few plants to flower for pollinators and beneficial insects.
  • Use mulch to save water and reduce weeding.
  • Collect seed from best plants to build a locally adapted strain.
  • Rotate away from carrots and parsley to spread pest pressure.