Dill The “Meeting House” Herb (Anethum graveolens)
There is nothing like flavor of fresh dill, and best way to get
really fresh dill is to grow it yourself. Fortunately, dill is an easy
herb to grow, and once you discover pleasures of growing your own,
you'll never buy commercially prepared dill again. In this issue,
you'll discover how to grow dill, and lots of uses for this refreshing
herb. Some of recipes in this issue may be familiar, but I bet
you'll find a few new ones, too!
Dill or dill weed, is a native of Southern Europe and Western Asia.
Dill grows wild in Mediterranean countries and has escaped from
gardens in parts of North and South America. It was found among
names of herbs used by Egyptian doctors 5,000 years ago and remains
of plant have been found in ruins of Roman buildings in
Britain. It is mentioned in Gospel of St. Matthew: It is suggested that
herbs were of sufficient value to be used as a tax payment-oh if that
were true today! :”Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for
ye pay tithe of mint and dill and cumin, and have omitted weightier
matters of law.”
It was once an important medicinal herb for treating coughs and
headaches, and an ingredient of ointments and for calming infants with
whooping cough. Dill is said to come from Anglo-Saxon dylle meaning
to soothe or lull.
During Middle Ages dill was prized as protection againsh
witchcraft. While magicians used it in their spells, lesser mortals
infused it in wine to enhance passion. Early settlers took dill to
North America, where it came to be known as ”Meeting House Seed,”
because children were given seed to chew during long sermons to
keep them from feeling hungry.
Dill is an annual with a height of about 2-5 feet. Tiny yellow-green
flowers grow in flattened umbel clusters in summer. The leaves are
aromatic, feathery green. Dill weed is what most recipes ask for, dill
leaf is same thing.
In Spring sow seeds in succession for a good leaf crop. The
seeds are easy to handle, being a good size. Dill does not like being
transplanted, so choose site carefully. Dill prefers well-drained,
fertile soil in full sun. Dill can be grown in containers, in a
sheltered corner with plenty of sun. However, it will need staking. The
art of growing it successfully is to keep cutting plant for use in
the kitchen. That way you will promote new growth and keep plant
reasonably compact. The drawback is that it will be fairly short-lived,
so you will have to do successive sowings in different pots to maintain
a good supply. Anethum graveolens) Shop for Herb Seeds
Dill is one of easiest herbs to grow and would make a great first
herb for someone who has never grown herbs before. You'll find lots of
uses for both fronds and seeds in kitchen. A sprig of dill
will perk up almost any soup, salad, or main dish. You can buy
transplants at your local garden center, but there is no need because
dill is easy to grow from seeds. You won't even have to start them
indoors - just plant your dill seeds right in garden where you want
them to grow.
When to Plant
Dill likes to be planted in cool weather. In warm winter areas that
don't experience a hard frost, you can plant dill in fall or winter. In
cooler areas, plant dill a week or two before your last hard frost.
After first sowing, plant again every 10 days or so for a
continuous crop.
When growing in containers, use a deep container to accommodate
long roots, and remember that you will eventually have a plant that is
three feet tall. Plants grown in containers may require staking.
Cultivation
Here are a few suggestions to start you on your way to a healthy crop
of dill:
Dill, like most herbs, loves to bask in sun, but will tolerate
afternoon shade.
Dill grows up to 3 feet tall, so plant it in back of your flower,
vegetable or herb garden.
Sow seeds close together. This will allow plants, which blow over
easily to support each other.