Dill
A fast-growing annual herb that bolts to flower and seed quickly once the weather warms, much like coriander, so sow small batches every few weeks for a continuous supply of leaves. Best sown direct, as it resents having its roots disturbed by transplanting. The flat yellow flower heads that appear once it bolts are a magnet for parasitic wasps and hoverflies, both useful predators of garden pests.
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- moderate
- Spacing
- 25cm
- Harvest
- Ready in 40-55 days
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Grows in
- Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago, Invercargill / Southland
- Expected yield
- Continuous leaf picking for 6-8 weeks before bolting
- Cost to grow
- ~$4 NZD
- Grocery value
- ~$12 NZD
- Companion plants
- Cabbage family, Cucumber, Onions
- Plants to avoid nearby
- Carrots, Fennel
- Common diseases
- Powdery mildew
- Common pests
- Aphids
When to plant by region
In Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Napier / Hawke's Bay: September-November. In Hamilton / Waikato, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast and Christchurch / Canterbury: October-November. In Dunedin / Otago and Invercargill / Southland: November.
Growing stages
SowingDirect sow, spring through summer
- Sow direct where it's to grow, as dill resents root disturbance from transplanting
- Choose a full-sun spot; part shade slows growth but can delay bolting slightly in hot regions
- Sow small successive batches every few weeks, as plants bolt quickly once established
Establishment
- Thin seedlings to around 25cm apart once large enough to handle
- Watch for aphids clustering on soft new growth
- Keep soil consistently moist to slow premature bolting in hot weather
Leaf harvest40-55 days from sowing
- Pick outer leaves regularly to encourage more growth and delay flowering
- Hot weather speeds up bolting; harvest promptly once flower heads start forming
- Powdery mildew can appear on foliage in humid, still conditions
Flowering & seed
- Flat yellow flower heads attract parasitic wasps and hoverflies, useful predators of garden pests
- Leave some flower heads to attract these beneficial insects rather than removing them all
- Collect dried seed heads for use as a spice, or let them self-seed for next season