Dill plants

Discussion in 'Herb Gardening' started by Catdaddy6676, Dec 18, 2018.

  1. Catdaddy6676

    Catdaddy6676 In Flower

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2018
    Messages:
    317
    Likes Received:
    505
    Location:
    Lugoff, SC
    I have a dill plant that I started in late September that is kicking butt! Strong stems and it has tripled in size.

    A couple of questions... 1)What is the best way to cut the leaves to promote continued growth? Should I cut the branches close to the trunk or is it better to clip it and leave some leaves on the branch? And 2)What is the recommended temp range of dill? I have noticed my plant has done well even as temps dipped into mid-high 20's...

    Thanks everyone!
     
    AAnightowl and Gail-Steman like this.
  2. Loading...

    Similar Threads
    1. AAnightowl
      Replies:
      13
      Views:
      249,259
    2. marlingardener
      Replies:
      9
      Views:
      113,405

  3. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2010
    Messages:
    11,382
    Likes Received:
    13,392
    Location:
    Central Texas, zone 8
    Catdaddy, amazing that you have dill in December! We get spring dill which self-seeds and we get smaller plants in the fall. We've never had December dill!
    Cutting dill? I just take off the fronds that I need and the plant takes care of itself. The fronds that are the biggest and best for our use are usually the lower branches, and I cut them close to the main stem. Some of our dill ends up looking like palm trees!
    Temperature range? We lose our fall dill with the first freeze. My herb book says that dill will die at 25 degrees or lower.
    I think the old-fashioned, non-hybrid dill would be more resistant to cold than some of the newer varieties, but since I just have plain old dill that self-seeds and cares for itself, I wouldn't know about hybrids' cold resistance.
     
  4. mart

    mart Strong Ash

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2010
    Messages:
    5,582
    Likes Received:
    4,139
    Location:
    NE Texas
    If you are in a coastal region they can take cold better ! Something about the moist air but I forget what !
    First frost and they are gone here ! Cut the fronds and freeze in plastic bags without washing. Remove as much air as possible ! Just wash before using !
     
    AAnightowl and Catdaddy6676 like this.
  5. Catdaddy6676

    Catdaddy6676 In Flower

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2018
    Messages:
    317
    Likes Received:
    505
    Location:
    Lugoff, SC
    Got down to 25°F last night and the dill was mildly droopy but growing well. I cut about once a week and the plant seems to be happy and healthy.
     



    Advertisement
  6. Catdaddy6676

    Catdaddy6676 In Flower

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2018
    Messages:
    317
    Likes Received:
    505
    Location:
    Lugoff, SC
    I think I may have gone to the well once too often... It reached 25° a couple nights ago and my dill plant was very droopy the next day. As it was estimated to reach 22° the next night I brought the poor guy in the house. It's been 3 days and it remains droopy...

    My question is can I prune it back to the stalk and hope it grows back out? I know dill has a very extensive root system, but I haven't grown it until this fall.
     
    AAnightowl likes this.
  7. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2006
    Messages:
    19,634
    Likes Received:
    5,059
    Location:
    North Central Texas, Zone 8a
    I have two plain, ordinary dill plants out front for the caterpillars, one has been out there, staying green year round and growing well for 5 years, the other one is on it's 2nd year out there. We have had a few nights of temps in the 22 to 32 deg range so far this month and it is actually putting out new growth. Mine are in the ground so that might make a difference in their survival rate.
     
    AAnightowl and Catdaddy6676 like this.
  8. Catdaddy6676

    Catdaddy6676 In Flower

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2018
    Messages:
    317
    Likes Received:
    505
    Location:
    Lugoff, SC
    Caterpillers like dill??

    I did not know that! Learn something new every day.
     
    AAnightowl likes this.
  9. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2006
    Messages:
    19,634
    Likes Received:
    5,059
    Location:
    North Central Texas, Zone 8a
    It is a host plant for the Swallowtail butterflies
     
  10. Catdaddy6676

    Catdaddy6676 In Flower

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2018
    Messages:
    317
    Likes Received:
    505
    Location:
    Lugoff, SC
    My dill plant died in January. I was sad.

    Now my brother and I are going to grow some from seed so there is hope!
     
  11. Catdaddy6676

    Catdaddy6676 In Flower

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2018
    Messages:
    317
    Likes Received:
    505
    Location:
    Lugoff, SC
    Just picked up a fern dill plant. Very fine leaves and stems are a bit droopy...
     
    AAnightowl likes this.
  12. Catdaddy6676

    Catdaddy6676 In Flower

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2018
    Messages:
    317
    Likes Received:
    505
    Location:
    Lugoff, SC
    It's looking (and tasting) great! Happy to have some success with it. Nothing like fresh herbs, especially dill.

    I use it on eggs and potatoes mostly but imagine cukes and tomatoes would be good with it also.
     
    AAnightowl likes this.
  13. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2010
    Messages:
    11,382
    Likes Received:
    13,392
    Location:
    Central Texas, zone 8
    Catdaddy, try this recipe using your dill.
    Cucumber/onion dill salad
    One medium cucumber sliced very thin (I use a mandolin)
    one red onion, sliced thin
    1 Tblsp. minced dill
    1 Tblsp. white vinegar
    3 or 4 ice cubes

    In a bowl, combine the cucumber slices and onion slices. In a small bowl mix the vinegar and dill, and pour over the cucumbers and onions. Mix, and then put the ice cubes on top. Let this sit in the refrigerator for at least two hours, and even longer (I usually make it a day ahead).
    Before serving, add grindings of black pepper, and some sea salt (if you want--I skip the salt).
     
    AAnightowl and Catdaddy6676 like this.
  14. Catdaddy6676

    Catdaddy6676 In Flower

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2018
    Messages:
    317
    Likes Received:
    505
    Location:
    Lugoff, SC
    Anyone know if a dill plant will survive if it has no (zero/nada) leaves on the remaining stalks? Asking for a friend... Lol
     
  15. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2006
    Messages:
    19,634
    Likes Received:
    5,059
    Location:
    North Central Texas, Zone 8a
    Has your friend recently seen caterpillars munching on the leaves? It is a favorite of several Swallowtail butterfly species and they will strip it clean of leaves. Since the root is the life bringer of the plant it should be fine, you might want to cut it back and watch for new growth.
     
    AAnightowl and Cayuga Morning like this.
  16. Catdaddy6676

    Catdaddy6676 In Flower

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2018
    Messages:
    317
    Likes Received:
    505
    Location:
    Lugoff, SC
    No butterflies, unless the swallowtail comes in at 6'1" and 300#! Lol

    I used the last of the dill and left a healthy stalk but no new growth has occured in a couple of weeks. Just curious as I am new to herb gardening and I love fresh dill.
     
    AAnightowl and Cayuga Morning like this.

Share This Page