When to Plant Dill in Melbourne — Cool Temperate Guide
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
A tall, feathery annual herb essential for Scandinavian, Eastern European and Asian cuisines. Both leaves (dill weed) and seeds are used. Like coriander, dill bolts in warm weather, but it's more forgiving. Excellent butterfly attractor. The fernlike foliage adds texture to any garden.
Planting Calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D | T/D | — | — | — | S | S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D |
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
Current Growing Conditions
Soil temperature: 21.9°C (optimal range: 10–20°C) ✗ Outside optimal range
How to Grow Dill in Cool Temperate Australia
When to Plant
Sow Sep-Dec. Longer growing season before bolt compared to warmer zones.
- Soil
- Well-drained, average to rich soil. Not fussy about soil quality.
- pH Range
- 5.5-6.5
- Sunlight
- Full sun. Tolerates light afternoon shade in hot zones.
- Spacing
- 15cm apart, 30cm between rows
- Watering
- Regular watering. Drought stress accelerates bolting. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Companion plants: Cabbage, Broccoli, Lettuce, Onion, Cucumber
Avoid planting near: Fennel (will cross-pollinate), Carrot, Tomato
Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Dill
Recommended Varieties
- Common dill
- Dukat
- Mammoth
Key Challenges
- Slow start in cold soil
- Frost kills plants
Pro Tips
- Very good zone for dill
- Direct sow once soil warms to 10C+
- Self-sows year to year
Harvesting Dill
When ready: Harvest leaves once plants are 20cm+ tall. Harvest before flowering for strongest leaf flavour. Seeds ready when brown and dry on plant.
How to harvest: Snip leaf fronds as needed. Cut no more than 1/3 of plant at once. For seed: cut entire seed heads when brown, dry in paper bag.
Common Dill Pests in Cool Temperate Zones
Organic prevention: Plant enough dill for both you and the butterflies. Swallowtail caterpillars are a sign of a healthy garden ecosystem.
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