Dill [Anethum graveolens]

Annual dill has been known for thousands of years as a versatile spice and medicinal plant and helps with flatulence, promotes milk flow in breastfeeding women, binds bad breath and aids digestion. Popular as a spice for pickling or fresh in salads. Ideal for direct sowing, pot cultivation possible, sowing spring-autumn, good for mixed culture, harvesting the seeds and leaves.

 Description 
Dill ist ein sehr altes einjähriges Heil- und Gewürzkraut und stammt ursprünglich aus dem Mittelmeerraum und Vorderasien. Samenfunde im Grab von Pharao Amenophis II. belegen seine Verwendung bereits um 1400 v. Chr. und auch die Bibel erwähnt das Kraut. Damals wurde Dill als Gewürz- und Heilpflanze verwendet und half bei vielen verschiedenen leiden. Das Kraut wird frisch und getrocknet in der Küche verwendet, die Blüten zum Einmachen und die Samen als Gewürz. Es hilft auch bei Blähungen und fördert den Milchfluss bei stillenden Frauen. Auch das Kauen der Samen hilft bei Mundgeruch und aus den Samen hergestelltes Dillwasser hat eine verdauungsfördernde Wirkung. Es ist auch möglich, daraus ätherisches Öl herzustellen.

 General information 
Plant family: Apiaceae
Life cycle: Annual
Days to harvest: 50 days
Plant height approx.: 80 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: Low
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to 3°C
Location: Sunny until semi shady
Soil: Permeable, slightly loamy, humus

pH value: 4.5 to 7.5

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Dark germinator
Sowing depth: 1-2 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 18-24 °C
Germination time: 7-21 days
Plant and row spacing: 20x30 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 2-3 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Bean, Pea, Cucumber, Carrot, Potato, Kohlrabi, Cabbage, Lettuce, Leaf lettuce, Beetroot, Onion
Unfavorable mixed culture: Chervil, Caraway, Pumpkin, Parsley, Celery

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Direct sowing is recommended from February to April or in autumn from October to November. The ideal location for the plants is sheltered from the wind and sunny to partially shaded.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Direct sowing from April to July is recommended. The plants should ideally be located in a sunny spot and protected from the wind.

 General recommendations 
Direct sowing in rows is recommended. After germination, thin out the plants to the specified plant spacing.
Dill ideally prefers a soil that is moist, permeable, contains some clay and a lot of humus. It does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
Dill easily sows itself. For a continuous harvest, sow every 3 weeks. If the temperature is too warm, the plants will form inflorescences, which will significantly reduce the harvest. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water retention capacity, it is recommended to also incorporate biochar and primary rock flour.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
Regular watering results in faster growth. No fertilization necessary.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Anethum graveolens
English names: Dill
German names: Dill, Gurkenkraut, Dille
Portuguese names: Endro, Aneto
Spanish names: Eneldo
French names: Aneth

 Origin 
Country: Portugal