Dill (Anethum graveolens) is an annual herbaceous plant, widely used as a seasoning and in folk medicine since ancient times. Its stems are upright, striated, hollow, branched, and can reach 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 meters) in height. Its leaves are finely divided, pinnate 4 to 5 times into thread-like segments of 1 inch (2.5 cm). The combination of its leaves and stems presents a bluish-green color and a mild aroma, compared to dried fruits. Flowering occurs in mid-summer, with large umbel-type inflorescences, composed of numerous small yellow flowers. The fruits are flattened pods that carry aromatic seeds.
Both the leaves, fruits, and seeds of dill can be used for consumption, as a seasoning. They can be used raw or cooked, whole or ground, to flavor hot or cold dishes, salads, fish, potatoes, sauces, cabbages, mayonnaise, pickles, bread, etc. Dill is a very popular seasoning in Eastern and Northern Europe, being indispensable in Russian and Scandinavian cuisine. It is also one of the ingredients in curry in India.
Dill seeds contain essential oils, which are extracted for use in the perfume, hygiene products, medicine, culinary industries, and even as potential insecticide enhancers. It is an excellent plant for the home garden of people who like to experiment with new flavors in the kitchen and for those who want to enjoy its medicinal value. Dill tea has a mild, sweet flavor and can be prepared from fresh or dried leaves and seeds as well.
It is said that a pouch of dill seeds, carried close to the heart, protects the individual against the evil eye and negative feelings. Another curiosity is that the larvae of butterflies from the superfamily Papilionidae love to devour dill leaves, and for this reason, it is cultivated to attract and feed these butterflies in gardens and butterfly houses of collectors and research and preservation institutions.
It should be cultivated in full sun, in fertile, well-drained soil, enriched with organic matter and irrigated at regular intervals. It is a very hardy plant that can be easily grown by beginner gardeners. It appreciates a mild climate. The seeds can be harvested about 90 days after planting in summer and 120 days in winter. It multiplies by seeds that should be sown directly in permanent beds, as it does not tolerate transplants.
