Field guide
How to grow dill: planting, care, and harvest guide
Dill typically reaches first harvest in 40–60 days. This guide covers when to plant by USDA zone, common pests, harvest cues, and companion plants where relevant.
Open plannerWhen to plant dill by USDA zone group
- USDA Zones 1–4 — May to June
- USDA Zones 5–6 — April to May
- USDA Zones 7–8 — March to May
- USDA Zones 9–10 — February to April
- USDA Zones 11–13 — October to February
Companion plants
Good companions: Cabbage, Lettuce, Onions
Avoid planting with: Carrots, Tomato (Slicing)
Harvest
When to pick
- For leaves (dill weed): harvest once plant is 8+ inches, before flowering
- For seeds: let flower heads dry on the plant until brown
- Flavor is best right before the plant flowers
How: Snip leaves as needed. For seeds, cut entire flower heads into a paper bag and let dry.
Storage: Fresh dill lasts about a week in the fridge in a damp towel. Freezes well — better than drying. Seeds store for years in a jar.
Common pests and problems
Parsleyworm
Signs: Same as parsley — swallowtail caterpillars love dill too
Control: Plant extra as a butterfly garden contribution. Relocate rather than kill.
Aphids
Signs: Clusters on flower heads
Control: Water spray. Dill attracts predatory wasps that eat aphids.
About this field guide
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