When to Plant Dill in Cairns — Tropical 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.
Current Growing Conditions
Soil temperature: 25.2°C (optimal range: 10–20°C) ✗ Outside optimal range
How to Grow Dill in Tropical Australia
When to Plant
Dry season only: April-August. Sow direct every 3 weeks.
- 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
Tropical Growing Tips for Dill
Recommended Varieties
- Dukat (more leaf, slower bolt)
- Common dill
Key Challenges
- Bolts rapidly in heat
- Short season
- Fungal issues in humidity
Pro Tips
- Treat as a cool-season annual
- Afternoon shade extends harvest
- Let final planting bolt for seed harvest
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.
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