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!
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.
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 !
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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).
Anyone know if a dill plant will survive if it has no (zero/nada) leaves on the remaining stalks? Asking for a friend... Lol
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.
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.
