Dill is not only useful in the kitchen as an aromatic spice, but also has numerous health properties. Its leaves, stems and seeds are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Additionally, dill is easy to grow and can be harvested most of the year, ensuring constant access to its freshness.
When to sow dill? Don’t miss the deadline
The best time for sowing is early (from mid-April), when the ground temperature is around 10-15°C. Dill likes full sunlight, so choose a well-lit place in the garden. You can also sow dill directly into the ground, or start it in pots and then transplant it into the garden when it is strong enough.
Dill Albina Yalunina / iStock
How to sow dill? Learn a simple technique
Dill is a plant that prefers loose, fertile soil with optimal pH. Before sowing, prepare the soil by removing weeds and stones and loosen it. Sowing dill seeds should be quite superficial – simply scatter the seeds on the soil surface, pressing them lightly with your fingers, and then gently cover them with a thin layer of soil. Keep a distance of about 20-30 cm between each seed. After sowing, water the seeds regularly to keep the soil moist. When the seedlings reach a height of about 5 cm, you can carry out gentle thinning, leaving gaps of about 15-20 cm between the plants. Dill does not require excessive fertilization, but you can apply a light organic fertilizer every few weeks to help it grow.
The plant reaches maturity approximately 70-90 days after sowing. You can harvest dill leaves and stems as needed, avoiding trimming more than one-third of the plant at a time. To obtain seeds, leave the flowers that appear at the end of the growing season, then harvest them when they begin to turn brown.
Dill is not only a versatile garden herb, but also an irreplaceable kitchen ingredient that can give dishes a unique taste and aroma. Here are some ideas on how to use fresh dill in the kitchen:
- For salads: Chopped dill leaves are an excellent addition to various salads. Their fresh and refreshing taste goes perfectly with vegetables, cottage cheese or grilled chicken.
- For soups: adding chopped dill leaves to soups, such as vegetable soup, cream of potato soup or tomato soup, gives them a delicate, herbal flavor.
- For sauces and dressings: Dill leaves can also be added to homemade sauces and dressings to add flavor and freshness. Try adding chopped dill to garlic yogurt sauce or vinaigrette.
- In egg dishes: Chopped dill goes great with scrambled eggs, omelets or frittatas. You can also sprinkle dill on hard-boiled eggs to add flavor and color.
- For pickling cucumbers: dill is a key ingredient in the marinade for pickled cucumbers. Add chopped dill leaves to the vinegar brine to give the cucumbers a unique taste and aroma.
- For fish and seafood: dill goes perfectly with various types of fish and seafood. Chopped dill leaves can be added to a marinade or used as a topping for grilled fish or baked shrimp.
- For potatoes: chopped dill is perfect as an addition to boiled potatoes, purée or casseroles, adding freshness and a delicate aroma.
Source: Gazeta
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