Will a Dill Plant Continue to Grow After Harvest?

About Dill

• Dill is in the carrot family, and like carrot (Daucus carota), it has a long, strong taproot. Dill can reach 3 to 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide, so it needs space to grow. The finely dissected, threadlike leaflets come from stalks that clasp the base of the hollow central stalk. Flower clusters at the branch ends are arranged in flat-topped clusters, called umbels, that can be 10 inches wide. Each flower produces a flat seed that turns from green to brown. You can prolong the life of the plant by removing the stem tips to delay flowering.

Dillweed

• If your main interest is in dillweed, begin by growing "Dukat," a cultivar that produces abundant foliage. "Long Island Mammoth" is the traditional variety and is good for both leaves and seeds. Dill prefers cool weather for best growth, and hot weather or dry periods cause rapid flowering and seed set. Get the most growth from dill by planting it when cool conditions prevail but before or after possible freezing weather, which will kill the plant. In U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 7, grow dill in the summer. In USDA zone 8, plant dill in both the spring and the fall. In USDA zones 9 through 11, grow dill in the winter. For the best flavor, harvest dillweed before the first flowers open. Although nothing beats fresh dillweed, freezing helps preserve the flavor. Keep the plants cut back to prevent flowering as long as possible. For more continuous dillweed production, sow successive plantings of dill two weeks apart to replace harvested plants.

Dill Flowers

• If you don't mind missing out on some seed production, dill flowers make suitable subjects for both fresh and dried floral arrangements. They also add a slightly different, more delicate flavor to food. Cut off the flower heads just after the flowers open and snip off the individual flowers to use as a garnish or an ingredient in green salads, flavored butters and vinegars, egg dishes and potato salad. Whole small flower heads also make attractive garnishes.

Dill Seeds

• Dill seeds flavor pickles, sauerkraut, baked goods and cooked vegetables. The cultivar "Bouquet" has large seed heads and is a good choice if you want mainly seeds. Harvest the seeds by cutting off the whole flower head just as the seeds turn brown, or about two or three weeks after the flowers finish blooming. Put the seed heads into a loosely closed paper bag to finish drying. Shake the seeds loose and store them in airtight containers in a cool, dry place. You can also use green dill seeds, which have a zesty flavor. Pick them before they turn brown and add them to salad dressings, sauces, pickles and soups. Remove the dill plant once the seeds are harvested.