Garden and Flowers

DILL

Dill is one of the most satisfactory kitche herbs, but its beautiful shape, color, and del: cate scent ensure that it is also very popular fo cutting and drying and as an annual borde plant. The species originated in Asia Minoi but was brought to Europe in antiquity, when it gradually became indigenous after being cul tivated in gardens. It is therefore very easy tt cultivate. Sow the seeds directly in the garden between March and June. The first flowering is to be expected from June onwards. For culinary purposes, the leaves are cut off before the plant flowers, and may be used for flavoring fish dishes and as a garnish.

The foliage closely resembles that of fennel (which, in fact, may be easily crossed with dill). Dill leaves are lovely and the bluey-green foliage of Anethum graveolens ‘Vier-ling’ is particularly decorative. In summer, the fragrant yellow umbels of flowers enhance the effect. ‘Vierling’ is grown commercially for cutting purposes and may be found at florists between September and May. Dill does not stand up well to competition from other plants and likes to grow in nutritive, well-drained but always moist soil. The plant will not recover from being allowed to become dry, however short such a period may be.

Dill (Anethum graveolens) is a short-lived perennial herb. It is the sole species of the genus Anethum, though classified by some botanists in a related genus as Peucedanum graveolens (L.) C.B.Clarke.

It grows to 40–60 cm (16–24 in), with slender stems and alternate, finely divided, softly delicate leaves 10–20 cm (3.9–7.9 in) long. The ultimate leaf divisions are 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) broad, slightly broader than the similar leaves of fennel, which are threadlike, less than 1 mm (0.039 in) broad, but harder in texture. The flowers are white to yellow, in small umbels 2–9 cm (0.79–3.5 in) diameter. The seeds are 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long and 1 mm (0.039 in) thick, and straight to slightly curved with a longitudinally ridged surface.

Successful cultivation requires warm to hot summers with high sunshine levels; even partial shade will reduce the yield substantially. It also prefers rich, well drained soil. The seeds are viable for 3–10 years. Plants intended for seed for further planting should not be grown near fennel, as the two species can hybridise. The seed is harvested by cutting the flower heads off the stalks when the seed is beginning to ripen. The seed heads are placed upside down in a paper bag and left in a warm dry place for a week. The seeds then separate from the stems easily for storage in an airtight container.