How to Harvest Dill

Do you have some dill growing in your garden? This tasty, refreshing herb produces both leaves and seeds, depending on when you harvest it. If you aren’t sure where to start, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for some tips and tricks that will help you get the most out of your dill crop.

Method 1
Method 1 of 12:
Harvest dill 90 days after planting seeds.

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    Dill tastes best right before it flowers. Believe it or not, dill plants actually develop small clusters of yellow flowers. Try to harvest while the plant is still green; once your dill flowers, the flavor changes.[1]
    • Dill leaves have a really high concentration of oils right before they flower, which makes them extra flavorful.[2]
    • The 90-day rule specifically applies to dill planted from a seed. If you planted a seedling, wait to harvest until the flowers are just about to open.[3]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 12:
Collect dill in the early morning.

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    Dill is extra moist in the early morning, before the sun is high in the sky. This moisture helps your dill taste great, and helps the seeds stay intact when you trim the plant.[4]

Method 3
Method 3 of 12:
Harvest the leaves when your plant has at least 4-5.

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    Snip off the leaves with scissors or pinch them with your fingers. Remove the older leaves before you start harvesting the newest ones.[5] Don’t trim off all the leaves at once; instead, just snip off what you need.[6]
    • The oldest leaves are at the bottom of the plant.[7]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 12:
Slip dill leaves into a airtight bag before refrigerating.

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    A regular plastic baggie will do the trick.[8] Don’t rinse off the leaves before sticking them in the refrigerator—damp dill goes bad more quickly.[9]

Method 5
Method 5 of 12:
Cut the stem to harvest a larger amount of dill.

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    Harvest dill stems with a pair of pruning scissors.[10] To harvest entire plants, snip off the entire stem 2 to 4 in (5.1 to 10.2 cm) above the soil.[11]
    • If you have a lot of dill growing in your garden, or if the dill is going to flower soon, it might be easier to harvest a lot at once.[12]
    • If you’re worried about running out of dill, try succession planting. This is where you plant a few dill seeds each week, which leads to a continuous crop.[13]
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Method 6
Method 6 of 12:
Refrigerate full dill stems in water.

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    Slip fresh dill into a cup of water before refrigerating it. Place the dill stem-side-down in a cup of water, leaving the fronds and leaves dry. The water keeps your dill fresh for a couple of days, in case you’d like to use it in any recipes.[14]

Method 7
Method 7 of 12:
Use fresh dill within 2-3 days.

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    Chefs find that fresh dill tastes better than dried. Try to use your stems or leaves within this time period, so your dill tastes as fresh and delicious as possible.[15] Before adding the dill to your recipes, rinse off the leaves or stems and pat them dry.[16]
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Method 8
Method 8 of 12:
Air-dry the dill for 1-2 weeks to store it long term.

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    You don’t need a dehydrator to dry out your dill. Instead, set your freshly-picked dill on a sheet of wax paper. Move the dill to a warm, dark area where plenty of air is circulating.[17] Wait 1–2 weeks for the herb to dry out completely. You'll know it's dry enough when the dill is practically crumbling.[18]
    • If you’re in a rush, you can microwave the dill instead. Sandwich 4-5 sections of dry dill between 2 paper towels and heat them on HIGH for 2–3 minutes. Continue heating the dill for 30-second intervals until it’s brittle.[19]

Method 9
Method 9 of 12:
Transfer the dried dill to an airtight container.

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    Store the dill in a dark area so it stays fresh.[20] When stored properly dried dill can last up to a year.[21]
    • Drawers and cupboards are great places to keep your dill, as long as they’re not next to your stove, oven, or sink.[22]
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Method 10
Method 10 of 12:
Snip off the flower stalks to harvest the dill seeds.

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    Wait 2–3 weeks after yellow flowers bloom on your dill plants.[23] Then, snip off the flower stalks with a pair of pruning scissors.[24]

Method 11
Method 11 of 12:
Air-dry the flowers for 2 weeks to collect the dill seed.

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    Hang up the dill flowers in a warm space with a lot of air circulation. Tie a perforated paper bag around each stalk, which will catch the falling seeds.[25] Give the dill seeds about 2 weeks to dry out before taking them down. Then, crumble the stalks with your hands to separate seeds from the stalk.[26]
    • For a quicker solution, place the stalks on a cookie tray and freeze them for a few days. Then, break the stalks with your hands over a sheet of paper so you can collect the seeds.
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Method 12
Method 12 of 12:
Keep your dill seeds in an airtight box or jar.

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    Dill seeds can last up to a year in storage. Always keep your seeds in a dark, cool space, where they won’t be exposed to heat or light.[27]
    • Dill seeds can be a helpful ingredient when you’re whipping up a batch of homemade pickles.[28]
    • Some chefs add dill seeds to sauces, casseroles, and other savory dishes.[29]

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References

  1. ↑ https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/dill/infos
  2. ↑ http://sonomamg.ucanr.edu/Food_Gardening/Additional_KG_Articles/Harvesting_and_Preserving_Dill/
  3. ↑ https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/dill/infos
  4. ↑ https://www.herbsociety.org/file_download/inline/0191822e-0527-4cac-afb6-99d2caab6b78
  5. ↑ https://www.almanac.com/plant/dill
  6. ↑ http://www.growpittsburgh.org/wp-content/uploads/How-To-Harvesting-Herbs.pdf
  7. ↑ http://www.growpittsburgh.org/wp-content/uploads/How-To-Harvesting-Herbs.pdf
  8. ↑ http://bkc-od-media.vmhost.psu.edu/documents/HO_PE_foodherbspicepairing.pdf
  9. ↑ https://www.ou.org/life/food/storing_fresh_dill_and_fresh_parsley/
  1. ↑ http://sonomamg.ucanr.edu/Food_Gardening/Additional_KG_Articles/Harvesting_and_Preserving_Dill/
  2. ↑ https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/dill/infos
  3. ↑ https://www.almanac.com/plant/dill
  4. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/gardening/how-to-garden/how-to-grow-dill/
  5. ↑ https://www.herbsociety.org/file_download/inline/0191822e-0527-4cac-afb6-99d2caab6b78
  6. ↑ https://www.herbsociety.org/file_download/inline/0191822e-0527-4cac-afb6-99d2caab6b78
  7. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/tools-test-kitchen/article/dill
  8. ↑ https://www.herbsociety.org/file_download/inline/0191822e-0527-4cac-afb6-99d2caab6b78
  9. ↑ http://sonomamg.ucanr.edu/Food_Gardening/Additional_KG_Articles/Harvesting_and_Preserving_Dill/
  10. ↑ https://www.four-h.purdue.edu/foods/Drying%20herbs%20frame1.htm
  11. ↑ https://www.herbsociety.org/file_download/inline/0191822e-0527-4cac-afb6-99d2caab6b78
  12. ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/lets-preserve-drying-herbs
  13. ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/lets-preserve-drying-herbs
  14. ↑ https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/dill/infos
  15. ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-dill-home-gardens
  16. ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-dill-home-gardens
  17. ↑ https://www.herbsociety.org/file_download/inline/0191822e-0527-4cac-afb6-99d2caab6b78
  18. ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-dill-home-gardens
  19. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-dill-pickles-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-193350
  20. ↑ https://www.herbsociety.org/file_download/inline/0191822e-0527-4cac-afb6-99d2caab6b78
  21. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/gardening/how-to-garden/how-to-grow-dill/

About This Article

Janice Tieperman
Co-authored by:
Janice Tieperman
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Janice is a professional and creative writer who has worked at wikiHow since 2019. With both a B.A. and M.A. in English from East Stroudsburg University, she has a passion for writing a wide variety of content for anyone and everyone. In her free time, you can find her working on a new crochet pattern, listening to true crime podcasts, or tackling a new creative writing project. This article has been viewed 2,804 times.
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Co-authors: 5
Updated: August 25, 2021
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Categories: Harvest and Storage
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