Fernleaf Dill

This All America Winner for 1992 was bred by the W. Atlee Burpee Company. The objective was to diminish the plant size so that the dill could be grown in containers and the smallest of gardens. In addition to pickles, Fernleaf Dill makes a welcome addition to salads and is a lovely ornamental plant with its yellow flowers, deep green foliage, and compact growth habit.  

150 seeds

PLANTING

Anethum graveolens

Annual

Germination: 10-14 days

Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 60-65ºF

Seed Planting Depth:  Sow ⅛” deep

Starting Indoors: Start indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost. Provide 60-65ºF soil temperatures.  Using peat, cow, or paper pots can help with the stress of transplanting, they grow delicate roots and successful transplanting may be challenging. Transplant 3-6” apart, around the last frost.   

Sowing Outdoors: Mid-spring when the soil temperature reaches 60-65ºF. Sow seeds close,  1/2" -1" apart. 

Growth Habit: Upright, branching

Height and Width: 8-12” x 12-18”

Spacing: 1-6” apart

Light Needs: Full sun 

Soil Needs: Fernleaf Dill needs average to fertile, well-drained soil 

Flowering: 35-40 days- leaves, 90-100 days- seeds

Harvest: Start when the plants are 6-8”, picking leaves as needed. Seeds are ready when they turn from green to brown. Harvest before they shatter to the ground. Place in a paper bag until they are fully ripened and dry

Uses: Culinary, medicinal, flowers attract bees and beneficial insects

Care: Water well during prolonged dry periods in summer. Removing flower stalks helps keep the plant producing leaves for a longer period. Reseeds easily- removing flower heads helps decrease next season's volunteers

Tips: Sow a few times a season, every 3-4 weeks for continuous leaf harvests. Providing support can help tall varieties that might want to topple over. Can be grown in containers.