Does Dill Remove Nutrients From the Soil?

Growth Demands

• Dill is classified as a light feeder and is a recommended crop for virtually all soil conditions, including high-altitude and low-nutrient soils. Only light fertilizing is needed. If the dill is planted in containers, experts suggest diluting fertilizer to half the recommended strength and applying it every four to six weeks. If the dill is grown outdoors in rows, apply 3 ounces of a light organic fertilizer with a 5-10-5 ratio of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium every 10 feet. Dill prefers soil with plenty of drainage, such as sandy or loamy soil. With enough sun and moisture, the hardy herb produces delicious green leaves ready for harvesting in as little as eight weeks.

Light Feeders

• Most herbs and vegetables, like dill, are light- or medium-feeding crops and require a moderate amount of fertilizer and nutrients. There are numerous light feeders similar to dill, which should be rotated with heavy-feeding crops. Some light to medium feeders include beets, turnips, radishes and snap beans. While 2 to 3 pounds of fertilizer per 100 square feet are necessary to replenish soil nutrients for medium feeders, dill may require even less fertilizer to grow well.

Heavy Feeders

• Heavy feeders demand more nutrients than dill and most other vegetable crops -- up to 4 to 5 pounds of fertilizer per 100 feet -- and should be rotated with dill and other light feeders. This category includes sweet potatoes, tomatoes, Irish potatoes, corn, soybeans and cabbage. Heavy feeders quickly deplete soil and should be alternated with crops, such as dill, in order to balance out nutrient demands.

Benefits of Dill

• Dill is a beneficial addition to vegetable gardens because it attracts useful garden pests and demands little from the soil. It propagates its own seeds by overwintering during the cold season then reappearing the following year. With its hardy growing habits, dill doesn't require much attention from the gardener. The herb makes a fine companion for similar annual crops, such as tomatoes, corn, cabbage, lettuce and onions. It adds an attractive array of delicate foliage and draws honeybees to gardens.