Dill, A Culinary Herb

Dill weed is an herb that has two seasons well has two parts that are used anyway. In the spring the dark green crisp tasting leaves are used to spice up fish, cheese, vegetables, and sauces. It is outstanding with potatoes. Cucumbers are another casque beats vegetable that goes well with dill. When using the leaves use them fresh for the best flavor. When adding to hot dishes add at the end of cooking so it retains it's flavor.

Dill seed has a much more potent flavor than the leaves it seems to be a cross between celery and anise. At the end of summer seeds form on the plants flowers and can be used for pickling, stews, rice dishes, breads and work well with root vegetables.

Location

Plant dill in a sunny location receiving 6 to 8 hours of sunlight everyday. Too much hot sun can damage the plants. The soil should be rich but well drained. Dill is considered a hardy annual and is very drought resistant.

Propagation

After the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. Plant dill in loose friable soil near the surface. Seeds should be planted a half an cheap canada goose jackets inch deep and covered with a little fine soil. Water lightly and keep the area moist. The plants should begin to emerge in two weeks thin them out to 10 inches apart to promote good growth.

Growing

Water sparingly as the plants grow in about four to six weeks the plants will start to form flowers you may harvest the leaves by snipping them off. The flowers will turn yellow then as the seeds start the form the flower heads will start to turn brown. Once this happens new leaves will stop forming. When the heads are brown you can harvest beats by dre solo the seed. You should continue to plant new dill plants every two weeks to insure a fresh supply of dill weed all summer long.

Harvesting

The leaves of the dill weed can be harvested after three or four weeks. Snip off what you need and use fresh. May be held in the refrigerator for several days in a plastic baggy. To harvest the seeds wait until the flower heads have completely turned brown then place them in a paper bag to finish drying in a cool space. After a couple of weeks shake the bag an all the seeds will fall out of the heads into the bottom of the bag. These seeds then can be kept in a glass jar in a dark place.