Dill (Anethum graveolens) is a popular, versatile annual herb prized for its feathery, aromatic leaves (dill weed) and pungent seeds used in pickling. Successfully integrating dill into a vegetable garden requires careful consideration of its growing habits. Since the plant grows tall and quickly “bolts,” or goes to seed, proper initial placement is necessary to maximize the harvest of tender foliage. Understanding its environmental preferences and how it interacts with neighboring vegetables determines its success in the garden.
Dill’s Ideal Environmental Requirements
Growing healthy, flavorful dill requires a location that provides abundant sunlight. Dill needs a minimum of six to eight hours of direct sun exposure daily. This prevents plants from becoming weak and spindly while ensuring they produce the aromatic oils concentrated in the leaves.
Soil composition is equally important, as dill is sensitive to wet feet. The herb grows best in loose, well-draining soil that is either sandy or loamy. Heavy, compacted clay soil quickly leads to root rot, which is often fatal to the plant.
Dill prefers a soil pH that is slightly acidic to neutral, ideally ranging between 5.5 and 7.0. Amending the area with organic matter, such as compost, helps achieve the crumbly texture needed for strong root development. While the plant needs consistent moisture to support rapid growth, the soil must never remain soggy after watering.
Strategic Placement and Spacing in the Garden
Dill is sensitive to root disturbance because it develops a deep taproot. Therefore, it is best planted by direct-sowing seeds into the garden bed rather than transplanting seedlings. Moving established plants is difficult and often causes them to stall or bolt prematurely. Seeds should be sown directly into the soil after the last threat of frost has passed in the spring.
Dill plants reach a mature height of two to four feet, requiring careful placement to avoid casting shade on smaller, sun-loving vegetables. Positioning dill along the northern edge of a garden bed is a practical way to manage its height. Since the tall, hollow stems are susceptible to strong winds, a location protected by a fence or sturdy structure is beneficial.
Adequate spacing between individual plants is necessary for air circulation, which helps prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew. Thinning the seedlings to stand 12 to 18 inches apart gives each plant sufficient room to spread and encourages robust growth. To ensure a continuous harvest of fresh foliage before the plants flower, employ succession planting by sowing new seeds every two to four weeks throughout the early growing season.
Companion Planting: Neighbors to Encourage or Avoid
Dill is a highly valued companion plant because its umbrella-shaped flowers attract a wide variety of beneficial insects. Dill specifically attracts parasitic wasps and ladybugs, which prey on common garden pests like aphids and cabbage worms. This makes dill an excellent neighbor for members of the brassica family, including cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower, as it helps protect them from leaf-eating caterpillars.
Planting dill near cucumbers is highly recommended because the herb’s flowers attract pollinators, enhancing fruit set. The beneficial predatory insects attracted by dill also help manage cucumber beetle populations. Young dill can be a temporary partner for tomatoes, helping repel the destructive tomato hornworm. However, mature dill that has gone to seed may inhibit tomato growth and should be removed or pruned.
Conversely, dill should be kept away from certain other plants to prevent negative interactions. Fennel, a related herb, must be avoided entirely because it can cross-pollinate with dill, resulting in a hybrid with inferior flavor. Fennel is also known to inhibit the growth of many nearby vegetable plants. Dill and carrots are both in the Apiaceae family, and planting them together increases the risk of attracting shared pests, such as the carrot rust fly. Close proximity also causes competition for nutrients and water, stunting the growth of both.