What Is Dill Weed?

Planting and Growing

• If you wish to add dill to your herb garden, plant it in well-drained soil in an area that gets full sunlight. Plant the seeds three to four inches apart and only deep enough that they're covered with a thin layer of dirt. The seeds may take up to three weeks to begin to sprout, but once the dill starts to grow, it can easily reach 2 to 3 feet tall. If the plant appears weak and too top heavy, tie it loosely to a stake.

Cooking

• Dill is most commonly associated with dill pickles and salmon dishes, where it provides a tasty accompaniment to the fish. If you're making your own dill pickles, use the leaves from the dill plant, coupled with garlic, to give the pickles their distinct taste. Layering fresh dill leaves and lemon slices on a salmon steak or fillet is a common meal, and you can also add fresh, diced dill to salads. Ground dill seeds work well as an ingredient to add to salmon.

Nutritional Benefits

• Dill is known as a significant source of minerals such as iron, manganese and calcium. It is also an antioxidant, which helps promote health and prevent disease. Dill doesn't contain any cholesterol, and its antioxidant and fiber content help to regulate your cholesterol levels. Other vitamins contained in dill include vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid and beta carotene.