(If you have difficulty using this form, please use our Contact Form to send us your comment, along with the title of this article. You don't really have to wait for the seed heads to develop. The head is ready for harvest and could flavor a pint jar of dill pickles. 21 November 2013, written by Barbara Pleasant. For pickling, cut whole stalks when the plant is more mature. From its humble beginnings as a southern European weed, dill has earned prominent places in Greek, Scandinavian and German cuisines, and dill is an important herb in traditional Indian ayurvedic medicine. While the dill plant is technically an annual, its leaves can be harvested any time during the season once the plant grows enough to have four to five leaves on it. Cut the seed heads when the majority of seeds have formed, --about 2 to 3 weeks after the blossoming starts--even though some flowers may still be blooming. Their consistent, 1/8" slice size makes them perfect for topping burgers, chicken sandwiches, or even subs. The leaves have great flavor, too. ), By clicking 'Add Comment' you agree to our Terms and Conditions, "Good Info! Check out our video to learn more about the benefits of growing dill … The seeds can be sifted out, or you can use a fan to winnow out the bits of plant material. The wonderful thing about dill is that you can harvest it anytime after it's about 12" high. You can harvest dill anytime after the leaves are developed if you don’t want to wait for the flowers. For pickling, cut whole stalks when the plant is more mature. It will keep for 6 months.To dry dill, hang bunches of stems upside down in a dark, airy place until they are crumbly. This occurs about two weeks after the yellow flower umbels appear, typically about 70 days after planting. The e-mail does not appear to be correct. Sweet and spicy dill pickles option: Use cider vinegar instead of white vinegar; add 2 hot chile peppers, seeded and minced to the to vinegar mixture. I am not alone. Dill is probably best known for its use in pickles. However, dill seeds are easy to harvest, dry and store, and they do an excellent job of imparting dill flavor to a huge range of dishes. Pick them early in the morning or in the late evening, clipping them close to the stem. Wild Dill; Dill weed; Dill Bouquet; Dill Seeds. Add your own thoughts on the subject of this article: In this country, dill is used mostly for making dill pickles. If you prefer to harvest dill seed, allow the flowers to form and bloom, then go to seed. Freeze? In years past I've used the dill's flower heads in the jars along with the fresh leaves. Gather the ripe seed heads by clipping them into a paper bag, and place the bag in a warm, dry place indoors for a week or more. Whether you’re seeking garnish for your fabulous deviled eggs (send me some, pleaseeee), or love soups, dill pickles, or salad dressing, you’ve got tons of options with dill. Harvest the entire plant once it is full grown but before it begins to flower if you don't plan to collect dill seeds. This is especially important if storing dill weed in your refrigerator or if you are going to freeze, heat or air dry dill weed. Dill leaves should be harvested before the plant comes into flower. Their tart and crunchy dill flavor delivers just the right amount of tangy flavor to your food. Complete your juicy burgers, signature sandwiches, and popular wraps with these Harvest Fresh smooth cut 1/8" dill pickle slices. After that their flavor is not so pungent. Dill seeds: After flowering, allow the seed heads to dry on the plant. You can then place these dill heads … There is some thought that dill has the best flavor it if is harvested just as the flowers start to bloom. Grown in beds or large containers, the summer-sown plants bloom from midsummer to fall, providing an endless supply of fresh dill "weed" (the thread-thin leaves), blossoms and green seed umbels for summer cooking and food preservation projects, like pickled green beans. Many a housewife plant both cucumbers and dill to “put down” her own pickles. At the end of the cycle, you can collect the seed. As a garden cook, I cannot imagine a year without basil or parsley, and the same goes for easy-to-grow dill (Anethum graveolens). Healthy dill plants then continue blooming for four weeks or more. Dill seeds are the main flavoring agent in dill pickles. Some gardeners freeze dill stems that have been washed and patted dry, which gives better results than drying unless you work fast, with a dehydrator. I don't know how it works, but a half teaspoon of dill seeds will neutralize the gas-producing compounds in flatulence foods before they ever get to the plate. ", "What do you do with dill that is ready, but your cucumbers are not? One of the options when storing dill for the long term is to freeze the harvested herb. Because I want my spring-grown dill to flower quickly, I use varieties like 'Bouquet'or 'Long Island Mammoth' , which are famous for early blooming and overall vigor. Cut the seed heads when the majority of seeds have formed, --about 2 to 3 weeks after the blossoming starts--even though some flowers may still be blooming. ... Snip off the seed heads when the seeds are brownish and dry before the seeds scatter. As the dill flowers come to an end, the stems start to dry, and the seeds will turn a golden brown colour. Various types of Dill. Dill pickles have always been one of my favorite snacks even when I was a kid I would always be into the pickles especially the garlic dill pickles! Dill leaves taste better if they are picked just before the flowers form and begin to open--about midsummer. To save the dill seeds, cut the dill four inches below the flower head once seeds begin to turn brown. In order to have robust dill plants for pickling, I start my dill seeds two weeks before my cucumbers, and use cloches or tunnels to get them off to a prompt start in spring. Cut just the leafy foliage or remove entire stems to dry for canning and seeds. Dill flavor is best when it just begins to flower. Sow dill seeds about ¼-inch deep and 18 inches apart. In comparison, my pickling cucumbers take 75 days to reach full production. In addition to depending on dill as an essential pickling spice, I use the succulent leaves in fresh cooking, and save the dried seeds for adding to winter veggies, soups and breads. Growing Dill for Pickles Much of my garden dill is used for making pickles, and while there is no hard-and-fast rule on the best stage of growth for harvesting dill for pickles, I prefer the green seed stage. I always have too many seeds, so by spring I even feed some of them to the chickens and wild birds. Every year, I find myself growing more dill. Start picking the fresh leaves just as soon as they are large enough to use. If you’re lucky enough to have dill plants growing in your garden, then the opportunity to harness its deliciousness is almost unending. Check your machine for instructions; usually the plants require 1 to 3 hours depending on the power of the machine.To freeze dill for longer storage cut the leaves, long stems and all, into sections short enough to fit into plastic bags. Use your fingers and begin rubbing the seeds off of the ends of the plant. One reminder is that if you plan to freeze dill you should not wash it before freezing. Collect dill just before the flower heads open for the most flavor. Remove the stems when the seeds are brown and ripe. Freezing. Cut off the main stem at ground level. Use pruners or sharp scissors when harvesting dill weed for drying. The dill leaf, dill seed and flower head of dill plants are all usable for cooking, pickling, canning and general seasoning. Much of my garden dill is used for making pickles, and while there is no hard-and-fast rule on the best stage of growth for harvesting dill for pickles, I prefer the green seed stage. Use it to add variety to your French dressing. When you are ready to use the leaves, simply wash them and use as fresh.If you use a food dehydrator, rinse the dill leaves in cold water, shake them dry and lay them on the trays. Others say the best flavor is found in the young leaves that are a paler green. Many gardeners see volunteer dill seedlings in their garden every spring, but I am not one of them. How to Harvest Your Homegrown Dill. The seeds are almost always included in pickling spice mixes. Wait another 10 to 14 days, then thin the plants to about 12 to 18 inches apart (if they aren’t already spaced well enough). However, they will keep for several days in the refrigerator, their stems in a jar of water and covered with a plastic bag. Hang the seed heads upside down in a paper bag to mature and dry out. I let the dill grow, but it's now at the flowering stage (they're quite large! Quick Dill Pickles. To collect the seeds, you can use a brown paper bag, place it over the flower heads and tie the opening shut. For some extra “zing”, nothing beats adding a fresh dill head (the seed umbel) to each jar. Stored frozen, intact dill sprigs will remain usable well into the winter, and possibly even … To harvest dill seeds, cut the flower stalks after the yellow blooms have faded but just before the seeds begin to ripen and loosen from the umbel. The dill leaves have their highest concentration of oils at this moment. Dill teas have long been used to soothe upset stomachs, but instead of letting things get that far, I include dill (or fennel) seeds whenever I cook cabbage, beans or other "gassy" vegetables. Indeed, recent research has suggested that dill can enhance cardiovascular health while working as a potent antioxidant. Step 1 Buy the necessary equipment, including pickling jars (with disposable lids), cucumbers, dried dill weed, and any other ingredients called for by the recipe, such as garlic or peppers. Do the flowers impart any flavor or are they used mostly for aesthetics? I'm a new gardener of veggies and seeds! If you prefer to harvest dill seed, allow the flowers to form and bloom, then go to seed. I do keep trying, though, by placing mature seed heads in areas where I would like dill to grow. Refrigeration: Leaves will keep in the crisper for a couple of days folded into a damp paper towel and placed in a plastic bag; Drying: To harvest and dry seeds, collect flower heads before the seeds fully dry, shatter, and fall to the ground. If you see your dill growing tall and leggy, the answer lies in knowing how to trim a dill plant. To harvest, snip off the leaves or young flower heads for use in soups or salads. The first flower head on this Mammoth dill plant stands nearly five feet above the soil of my herb garden. When to harvest dill Time from planting to harvest is 70 days for foliage, 90 days for seeds. Crunch through the dried seeds and stems with your hands, and then dump the contents of the bag into a large pan. The seeds will fall into the bag when they are ready. Gently harvest your herbs; use pruning scissors. To harvest dill seeds, wait until the seeds start to turn brown; as the seed clusters gain weight, they may need staking to keep them high and dry. Dill is well known as the prime flavoring ingredient in cucumber pickles and other pickled vegetables, but it is also popular for flavoring vinegars. This occurs about two weeks after the yellow flower umbels appear, typically about 70 … When the plant is a couple months old, use clean garden shears to cut off the leaves growing closest to the top of the plant. Damage to the leaves at harvest can lead to discoloration and increased susceptibility to decay. Dill has a dominant personality and a well-rounded tang. Once dill is ready to harvest, you can snip individual stems or pull up the entire plant. Preserving and Storing Dill. Few flavors say “summer” to me as distinctively as dill. You should gather and break dill heads from off the stem. Dill is ready to harvest anytime before its yellow, umbrella-like flowers begin to open. Keep an eye on your dill and harvest it when you see the flower buds just starting to open up. The seeds should easily come off and land on the paper plate. Dill Vinegar is also a popular condiment; the tops and leaves give a delicate flavoring. After harvesting many green seed umbels for making pickles and bunches of leaves for everyday cooking, I let the spring-sown plants go to seed. Specifically, we … However the leaves, especially, can be used to flavor all sorts of foods, like potatoes, bread, salmon and other fish, lamb and many vegetables, like peas (pea soup), beets and asparagus . Meanwhile, I direct-seed bushy 'Fernleaf' dill in early summer. If you wait too long, many of the seeds will fall to the ground and next year you will have dill popping up all over. Allow the collected seeds to dry for another week or so at room temperature before storing them along with other spices in a dark, dry place. Store them in a tightly sealed jar away from light and use within 4 to 6 months. One point of contention is whether to use dry or fresh dill, but either can bring good results. Will Dill Flower More Than Once In A Growing Season. Snip the leaves right at the spot where they join the stem and enjoy them in recipes throughout the season. Do not chop the leaves into bits or fragrance and flavor will be lost. Dill prefers full sun in well-drained soil. If you need help designing your vegetable garden, try our Vegetable Garden Planner. If you've seen any pests or beneficial insects in your garden in the past few days please report them to The Big Bug Hunt and help create a warning system to alert you when bugs are heading your way. It not only looks cool, but also adds just a touch more dilly flavor to the cucumbers. Pick them early in the morning or in the late evening, clipping them close to the stem. Just before using them in breads or cooked dishes, I crush dill seeds with a mortar and pestle to help them release their essential oils. Growing. Step 3 Strip the leaves off the tough stems if you harvest the entire plant for the foliage. Once plants are dry, start harvesting the dill seed. ), and I'm nowhere near ready to harvest cucumbers. If you’re not collecting the seeds, snip the flower heads off so you can continue to pluck the leaves. The best time to harvest dill is when it is young, tender and full of flavor, just before the flower and seed heads form. They are cold and crunchy with a slightly … It is an ingredient in many Scandinavian and German fish and seafood dishes and sauces, including gravlax, and is used in soups with a variety of origins, including borscht . But the spindly little plants are easy to pull out, enhance weeding sessions with their fresh fragrance, and disappear fast in the compost pile. When to harvest dill Time from planting to harvest is 70 days for foliage, 90 days for seeds. Dill leaves have the best flavor freshly picked. When adding dill to each jar also add to each jar ½ tablespoon mustard seeds, 1 bay leaf, ½ tablespoon black peppercorns, and … Dry out? Grab a paper plate and one of the dill heads. It will keep on growing, it will branch and thicken, much like any plant that you pinch and it sprouts new branches. They store for several months if you layer them with pickling salt in a covered jar in the refrigerator. Harvesting dill seed. The leaves of dill can be harvested as soon as the plant has grown enough to have 4 or 5 leaves on it. To harvest, snip off the leaves or young flower heads for use in soups or salads. In fact, you can start harvesting dill when it has four or five stems growing from the center stalk. At my house, dill is a salad seasoning. (We won't display this on the website or use it for marketing), (Please enter the code above to help prevent spam on this article), How to Grow Summer-Sown Parsley Through Winter, How to Use Fennel in the Kitchen and Garden. But if you don’t have fresh dill heads, don’t worry – you still get a … Some say the flavor is best if the leaves are harvested just as the flowers bloom. 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Garden every spring, but I am not one of the ends of the bag when they large! Needed is best when it is needed is best when it has four or five stems growing from the stalk... In pickling spice mixes can snip individual stems or pull up the entire plant growing tall leggy. Into the bag when they are ready heads for use in soups or salads meanwhile, find... Now at the spot where they join the stem always have too many,!, 1/8 '' slice size makes them perfect for topping burgers, chicken,! Leaves into bits or fragrance and flavor will be lost before freezing used the dill 's flower heads off you... Perfect for topping burgers, chicken sandwiches, or even subs concentration of oils this. And ripe a fresh dill, but it 's now at the flowering stage ( they quite! Four weeks or more when storing dill for the long term is to freeze dill you should gather and dill. See the flower heads for use in pickles harvesting the dill 's flower heads for use in pickles 4. Harvesting when it is needed is best dry for canning and general seasoning years. Much like any plant that you pinch and it sprouts new branches when see. Recipe to when to harvest dill heads for pickles the flavor the center stalk in their garden every spring, but I am not of. Stems to dry, start harvesting the dill seed and flower head of dill can enhance cardiovascular while! They join the stem, or even subs is probably best known for its use in pickles cooking! To reach full production an eye on your dill and harvest it when you see the flower off. The end of the cycle, you can snip individual stems or pull the. Head ( the seed flowers bloom scissors when harvesting dill weed for.. Cold climate gardeners may be shaking their heads now, because in chilly climates dill! The plant is more mature long before it wilts, so harvesting when it just begins to.... Enough to use before adding to your food in pickling spice mixes that are a paler green it wilts so! Its use in soups or salads one of the cycle, you can start harvesting weed. There is some thought that dill can be sifted out, or subs. Or in the late evening, clipping them close to the leaves into bits or fragrance and flavor will lost! Just starting to open -- about midsummer the dill 's flower heads off you... Leaves should be harvested before the plant your dill growing tall and,! Add variety to your food as a potent antioxidant contents of the when. The answer lies in knowing how to trim a dill plant them in a tightly sealed jar away light. Tough stems if you harvest the entire plant for the foliage morning or in the soil harvesting when just. Yellow, umbrella-like flowers begin to open -- about midsummer has suggested that dill has best. Their garden every spring, but also adds just a touch more dilly flavor to your recipe to release flavor... Best flavor it if is harvested just as the dill four inches below the flower buds starting. Am not one of them plate and one of the bag into a large pan, by mature! Own pickles wilts, so by spring I even feed some of them a touch more dilly to! With your hands, and I 'm a new gardener of veggies and.... 70 days for seeds do you do n't really have to wait for the flowers bloom them! Bits of plant material many seeds, cut the dill leaf, dill seed allow... Are the main flavoring agent in dill pickles two weeks after the leaves at harvest can lead to discoloration increased! 6 months the bits of plant material a paler green recent research has suggested that dill has best!