Dill Germination Problems

Low Moisture

• Herb seeds like dill need moisture for germination. If you sprinkle them over the soil and there is not enough moisture in the soil, the seeds will just stay in the soil without change. Make sure you water the soil lightly after you plant the seeds so that the soil is moistened, and then keep it moist until the seedlings appear.

Outdated Seed

• Dill seed will lose its viability over time. If you are planting seed that was packaged for growing for previous seasons, there might be a high percentage of seed that no longer will germinate. Use seed that you harvest from the previous growing season for the best germination results or that is packaged for the current year.

Heated for Storage

• Some dill seed goes through a heating process if it is to be stored for cooking. This process will kill the embryo in the seed, leaving it non-viable. Although some seeds sold as a culinary spice will sprout in the garden, use seed set aside for growing for best results.

Disease

• A blight called Phoma anethi will attack dill weed seed heads. It is a fungus that feeds on the plant material. Seeds collected from diseased plants might not be viable. Only save seed from the healthiest plants for the best success in germination.