To some, dill is the main staple that’s used when preparing dill pickles, but this herb is used in a great many more arenas than just that of a pickle jar. Perhaps not as popular as other herbs, there’s always room for a bit of dill in any herb garden, although dill also does very well in containers and can be placed around the outside of your home or on a porch or patio.

The History and Geography of Dill
While this herb found its beginnings in southwest Asia, it became a global traveler through human vessels who saw the marketability of it several hundred years ago. As a result, we can now find this rather tangy herb growing in the kitchens and outdoor gardens of many nations.

Building your Herb Garden: Working with Dill
This member of the parsley family can grow from 1 ½ to 3 feet, with the more popular varieties of the herb ranging from 2 to 3 feet in height. Dill can be planted in rows – directly in the garden bed; these don’t need to be started indoors – in the spring, and should be planted in rows that are a foot apart. A variation of this pattern – and a quite popular one – is to use this herb as a garden edging by planting the seeds around the perimeter of the garden bed. Like most other herbs, dill is quite easy to grow, preferring sun and soil that’s well drained. They shouldn’t be allowed to dry out, however, so light watering may need to be done during drier periods. Fertilizer should be added at least once during the growing season, in order to get the maximum benefits from the herb.

Dill is the type of herb that can be harvested at any time, its young leaves offering the best flavor. Dill Weed – the dark green leafy area – is often used for seasoning in dishes such as Dill Chicken, and can be harvested and used in its fresh state or tied together and hung upside down until it reaches its dehydrated state, to be used as a dried herb. Keep in mind that, while the drying process is taking place, the seeds will tend to loosen and fall, so you should provide a container under the herb in order to catch the seeds as they drop.

Culinary Uses of Dill
Though not the most popular of herbs, dill is generally used in soups, salads, crock-pot recipes, dips, vinaigrettes, and with dishes containing fish or sour cream. When simmered with chicken or fish, bundles of this herb provide a delicate, tangy taste without overpowering the other ingredients. Perhaps the most popular use for this herb is in its role as a pickling spice, although they are also the main ingredient in curry powder.

Medicinal Herbs: The Curative Properties of Dill
When used for medicinal purposes, dill is effective in relieving colic and acting as a breath freshener when chewed. When steeped in boiling water, the seeds of this herb also provide relief of gas in the digestive system.