How Tall Does Dill Grow? (Explained) 2023

Last updated on September 23rd, 2022 at 03:46 pm

Growing dill in your garden is a thrilling experience as it serves as food and adds aesthetic value to your garden. However, for reasons such as compatibility with other plants, you may want to know how big it grows.

So, how tall does dill grow? The dill plant usually reaches a height of 2-4 feet upon maturity. Typically, all varieties of the plant can reach 30-60 inches upon maturity.

How Tall Should You Let Your Dill Grow?

Sometimes, it is good to cut off some portions of your dill plant, seeing as it can become excessively tall.

Also, you will need to prune off individual stalks because they grow to be very tall. Some even grow to be as tall as three to four feet.

Dill seeds, after planting, typically germinate within 10-14 days. After that period, young dill plants begin to develop.

So, to ensure that you harvest mature herbs and that the plant remains alive even after harvest, allow your dill plant to grow to at least 20.8 centimeters tall before harvesting.

Furthermore, you can start harvesting as soon as your dill plant has four to five leaves on it. Nevertheless, it may be risky to harvest a lot from the plant at that early stage.

If, on the other hand, you have several plants, you can cut off entire stalks.

When Can I Plant Dill?

While it is not forbidden to plant at any other time of year, plants and herbs have varying needs and require different qualities and quantities of manure, sunlight, water, and time to flourish.

Knowing the ideal time of year or season to plant your dill plant will help you maximize its life and productivity.

The best time to plant most herbs is during the mild dormant season, fall through early spring. The spring and fall seasons are best for the following reasons.

1. Growing dill in the fall is perfect as it is a period with relatively good weather. The fall is better than the turbulent late spring days or the cold, bitter winter months.

2. It is easier to control weeds in fall and early spring. Since most organisms are dormant in fall, there’ll be far fewer weeds, unlike in late spring, where the weeds sprout energetically to ruin your garden.

3. The dormancy of the weeds makes your gardening easier because you can take a timeout between clearing your garden and planting your herbs. In spring, you must clear and plant the same day.

4. There is also more rain during the fall, which means less watering for you.

Can I Grow Dill Indoors?

Being a gardener, you may want to grow your plant indoors to achieve more control. For example, you can grow your dill indoors as long as you provide it with enough light, water, and quality soil.

To successfully grow dill indoors, it would be best if you take account of the following:
It is best to grow your dill plant indoors to receive at least five to six hours of direct sunlight every day.
Alternatively, you can use LED or fluorescent lights in situations where the plant cannot access direct sunlight.
Make sure to provide supplemental lighting for at least 10-11 hours.
Also, when growing your dill plant indoors, you have to remember that the dill can grow to be very large and spread.
Ensure the soil is slightly acidic and rich in organic matter. These will help the plants achieve perfect homeostasis.
Make sure you use a large pot. The pot should be at least 8 inches deep with large drainage holes. If the pot’s drainage is not good enough, the soil will become waterlogged, and the roots will rot, killing the plant.
Sow seeds directly into the soil, and keep the soil slightly damp. You can do this by sprinkling water in the pot from time to time. Also, keep the pot in a location where it won’t be disturbed.
The ideal temperature for dill is 60- 80°F. Make sure to maintain the temperature conditions for optimal growth.
Water the plant adequately, but you only need to water when the top inch of the soil is dry.

Does Dill Grow Well in Winter?

Although dill tolerates both cold and heat, it would be best to grow it in temperate weather. Because dill is a biennial warm-season herb, It is susceptible to frost and light freezes. Thus, dill does not grow well in winter except when it is planted indoors.

Furthermore, while dill plants can barely tolerate low temperatures, the plants prefer soil temperatures of about 70°F. In the winter, the ground typically becomes frozen, so the plants die. Hence, they hardly survive frosts and extreme winter colds.

Dill grown outdoors will most likely die away with the first frost. So it would be best to preserve your dill so you can keep enjoying it even over the winter.

To protect your dill for the winter, here are some tips that will be of help to you:
First, wash your dill thoroughly in cold water. SThen, shakeit and pay it dry. Make sure you do this soon after harvesting so it maintains its flavor and remains fresh.
Harvest very early in the morning for the best taste.
Place the dry dill into an airtight container or sheet and seal it very tightly.
Place the container in the coldest part of the freezer until you need it.

You can also dry your dill plants for use during the winter. To appropriately dry them:

Simply hang a few sprigs upside down in a warm room. And keep them there until they are dry to the touch.

Then strip the dill from the sprigs and store it in an airtight container.

Conclusion

Dill is a biennial warm-season herb. However, it grows better in temperate climates, and it can grow to be 2-4 feet upon maturity.

Although you can plant dill indoors at any time of year, it is better to grow dill outdoors in fall or spring before the frost.

Dill can also be grown indoors in pots. However, dill is not frost tolerant and does not grow well in winter.

It is better to preserve dill for consumption in winter instead of trying to grow it. Because even already planted dill herbs do not grow well in winter.

References: