Dill is usually considered to be mature when its flower buds begin to develop and its leaves are full-grown but still tender. If the leaves are still light green or bright green in color, the dill is likely still immature.
The leaves should be a dark, olive green. If you snag a leaf and give it a smell, the dill should have a strong, herbal and slightly sweet aroma. When harvesting, look for flower heads that have just begun to open and have a light yellowish-green color.
If the flowers have fully opened, the dill weeds are past their prime and will have a much stronger and more pungent taste. You can also harvest the leaves before the flowers open to ensure the most mild and flavorful dill.
How long does it take for dill to be ready?
It typically takes between 55 and 65 days for dill to be ready for harvest. The exact time for full maturity depends on the variety of dill and the climate where it is growing. Dill is sensitive to cold temperatures, so in colder climates it may take a bit longer for the dill to reach maturity.
When grown in ideal temperatures and sunshine, dill will usually reach maturity in around 60 days. Once the seeds turn brown and fall to the ground, the dill is ready for harvesting.
Should I let my dill flower?
Answer: It is generally recommended to let your dill flower so that it can continue to bring pollinators like bees and other beneficial insects into the garden. If your dill plants are healthy, letting them flower will also help ensure that you have plenty of dill to harvest.
Once your dill flowers, the leaves will start to lose some of their flavor and the plant might become woody. If you need a large crop of dill for salads and more, it might be best to harvest the leaves and flowers before they have a chance to turn.
Additionally, letting the dill flower could encourage it to spread around your garden, which could be a benefit or a nuisance, depending on your garden goals. Ultimately, whether or not you let your dill flower is up to you.
Can you still use dill after it flowers?
Yes, you can still use dill after it flowers. The flowers, while beautiful, do not make the dill inedible. In fact, the flowers themselves are edible, so you can always pick them off and use them in cooking or as a garnish.
When dill is flowering, the leaves are also more fragrant than when the plant is in its vegetative state, so you can still use the leaves in cooking. They are best used fresh, however, as the flavor diminishes rapidly once they are dried.
Will dill come back each year?
The answer to this question depends on the variety of dill you’re asking about. If you’re referring to dill as an herb, it’s an annual plant, which means that it won’t usually come back from the roots from year to year.
The exception would be in areas where winter temperatures don’t go below freezing, as the dill may come back the following year.
On the other hand, if you’re referring to the seed of the dill plant, it will produce dill again the following year if the seed is saved and planted in the same area. Once the dill plants have fully grown and bloomed, they will produce dill seed again that can be harvested and planted in the following year.
How do you store fresh dill?
The best way to store fresh dill is to wrap it in a damp paper towel and place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will help keep the leaves from drying out too quickly and will also help to retain its flavor.
If you plan to use the dill within a few days, you can also place it in a glass jar or container filled with about half an inch of water, much like you would store cut flowers. Place a plastic bag over the top and place it in the refrigerator.
You can also freeze dill by washing and drying it thoroughly, chopping the leaves, and storing it in an airtight container.
What part of dill do you chop?
When preparing dill for cooking, it is best to chop the stems and leaves. The stems can be tough and fibrous, so you may want to remove them if adding dill to a dish. You can roughly chop the dill leaves with a knife and cutting board, or use a herb scissor for a finer cut.
When the dill is chopped, it should be added to the dish at the end of cooking, just before serving, as it tends to lose its flavor quickly when exposed to heat.
What can you not plant with dill?
It is best to avoid planting dill near other plants in the Apiaceae family, particularly carrots, celery, fennel, and parsley, as cross-pollination can occur and lead to bitter-tasting or undesirable flavors in the edible crops.
Additionally, dill attracts pollinators and can bring about a decrease in fruit production with companion crops such as tomatoes and strawberries. Furthermore, dill can grow quite quickly and can potentially become a weed in the garden.
Therefore, it is not recommended to plant dill next to plants that you would like to maintain healthy in your garden.
Is dill easy to grow?
Yes, dill is relatively easy to grow. It grows best in warm temperatures and prefers full sun, although it can tolerate some shade. It’s important to keep the soil evenly moist, so regular watering is necessary.
For good germination, the soil should be well-drained and the seeds should be lightly covered with soil. When the seedlings are a few inches tall, thin them out so that plants are spaced about 6-10 inches apart.
As dill grows, it will start to flower and set seed. Dill should be harvested when it is young as the flavor diminishes with age. After you harvest the leaves, let the cut stems dry so that the seeds can easily be collected.
Will dill survive winter?
The short answer is yes, dill can survive winter depending on the climate. In cold climates, dill can handle hard frosts and will return in the spring as long as the roots are protected from extreme cold.
In colder areas, a light layer of mulch or snow can help insulate the roots and protect them from temperatures below freezing. In milder climates, dill plants can survive winter if grown in a spot that receives some protection from harsh winter winds and does not experience too much moisture from winter rains.
If planted in a container, the container should be raised off the ground to prevent moisture from getting trapped and freezing. For the best success, dill can be planted in the spring so it will have an entire growing season to establish and grow rather than trying to start it in the fall.
Will dill keep coming back?
Yes, dill is a hardy herb and is an annual plant, so it will come back each year. Dill also self-sows, meaning it will disperse its own seeds each year and this helps regenerate plants in the same area.
In most mild climates, dill plants will come back year after year, though you may get some variation in leaf shape and size each year. In colder regions, dill may need to be replanted each year, but the seeds can still be collected and saved for future use.
When growing dill, it is important to be aware that it may become invasive, so you may need to control its spread.
How do you keep dill over winter?
Keeping dill over the winter is easier than you may think! The best way to maintain the flavor and consistency of the dill is to freeze the dill. Before freezing the dill, you should rinse the dill with cold water and allow it to dry on a kitchen towel or paper towels.
Once the dill is dry, spread out the leaves on a parchment-lined baking sheet and place in the freezer for a few hours. After freezing, the leaves can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer.
Frozen dill will last up to 6 months if stored correctly.
You can also dry your dill in the oven. Begin by arranging the dill leaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place the baking sheet in an oven set to the lowest temperature (no higher than 170 degrees).
Leave it in the oven for 3-4 hours, depending on your oven’s temperature and your desired level of dryness. Once the dill leaves are completely dried, store the leaves in an airtight container somewhere cool and dry, such as a kitchen pantry or cupboard.
Properly dried dill will generally stay fresh for up to 8 months.
Another option is to preserve your dill in oil or vinegar. To preserve dill in olive oil, start by cooking the dill in a small saucepan with a tablespoon of olive oil. Cook the dill until the oil turns green and then let the oil cool before pouring it into an airtight jar.
To preserve the dill in vinegar, start by covering the leaves with cider vinegar and let the mixture sit at room temperature for 3-4 days. Once the vinegar has absorbed the dill’s flavor, strain the vinegar and then store in a clean bottle or jar.
Both the dill-infused oil and vinegar will keep in a cool and dark spot for up to 8 months.
No matter which preservation method you choose, dill can be kept over the winter with the right care and preparation.
What do you do with dill after flowering?
Once dill has finished flowering, the plants should be cut back. You should remove any flowers, seed heads, and any spindly, leggy stems that have formed. Cut back plants to a few inches above the soil line, leaving the foliage that has developed, if desired.
If you plan to harvest more of the dill foliage, it is best to cut more of the stem and leaves, leaving just 6 to 8 inches, and allow new foliage to develop. To promote developing foliage, water the soil deeply, especially during dry spells.
After cutting the plants back, you can fertilize them with an organic slow release fertilizer.
Can you continually harvest dill?
Yes, you can continually harvest dill. To do so, you should wait until the leaves are fully developed and easy to pick. When they become too big and tough, they will not be as flavorful. To maintain an ongoing supply, you should pick a few leaves from each plant every few days, as they mature.
It also helps to pick the flowers, as this will encourage new growth. After harvesting, either place the dill in a dry container or hang it to dry. Once dried, store it in an air-tight container and it’ll stay fresh for several months.
Additionally, the seeds of the dill plant can also be harvested for different uses. You can wait for them to mature and then pick them before they fall off the plant.
Does dill spread in a garden?
Yes, dill can be a great addition to any garden because it is not only edible, but it also grows quickly and spreads easily. As an annual, it will usually die back in the winter; however, with proper care it can survive in temperate climates and return the following year.
You can either plant dill directly in your garden, or buy a starter plant at a nursery. In either case, dill will soon spread and reproduce in your garden. It is important to note that dill can grow very quickly and take over an area of your garden if given the opportunity so it is important to keep a close eye on it.
Also, some varieties of dill are self-seeding, so even if you remove the existing plants, the seeds may remain in the soil and sprout up the following season.
What does it mean when dill flowers?
When dill flowers, it means that the dill plant has reached full maturity and it is ready to produce seeds. Dill is an annual herb that usually only flowers once a year, which usually takes place in the late summer or early fall.
Once the seeds are produced, they can then be harvested and used for culinary or medicinal purposes. When dill flowers, you will notice clusters of tiny yellow flowers along the stem of the plant. These little flowers are a great sign that the maturity of the plant is complete and the health of the plant is at its peak.
What can I do with excess dill?
Excess dill can be used in a variety of dishes to bring a distinctive flavor. One great way to use up dill is to make dill pickles! Pickling is an easy way to preserve food while infusing it with the flavor of dill.
To make pickles, start by boiling some white vinegar, sugar and salt together, and then pour the brine over your cucumber slices in a jar with some garlic cloves and dill. Leave the jar in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours before enjoying.
You can also use your excess dill as a garnish for a variety of dishes. Chop it up finely and sprinkle it over dishes like deviled eggs or green salads for a hint of flavor. Dill also adds a delicious flavor to creamy sauces like tzatziki or mayonnaise – just mix in some chopped dill for a unique flavor.
In addition, dill can be used in marinades for fish or chicken dishes. Simply combine some dill with a few other spices like garlic, lemon juice, and pepper and let the mixture marinate for a few hours.
The dill will infuse the dish with its distinctive flavor.
Finally, dill makes a great addition to baked goods too. It pairs well with carrots, potatoes and onions, so try adding some dill to your next batch of scones or muffins for a unique twist.
How do you harvest dill that has flowered?
Harvesting dill that has flowered is a bit different than harvesting dill when it is still in the vegetative stage. When it comes time to harvest dill that has flowered, timing is key. The best time to harvest is early in the morning, when the essential oils in the plant are at their peak.
The ideal cutting site should be at the base of the stem, where the foliage meets the stem at the soil level.
Using pruning shears or scissors, snip off the flower stalk and all of the leaves, cutting right at the base of the stem. The entire flower stalk can be used, as it is edible. The best way to store dill that you harvest is by drying it.
Spread the stems and leaves out on a flat surface or tray and let them air dry for several hours. Once the dill is dry, it can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 months.