How to grow Dill in New Zealand
Dill is a tall, feathery annual herb with an aromatic, slightly aniseed flavour, used fresh with fish, potatoes and eggs and as seed heads for pickling. It is a cool-season herb that bolts quickly in summer heat, so in the warm north it is sown from autumn to spring. Its flat flower umbels feed bees, hoverflies and parasitic wasps.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Dill in New Zealand
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | February to April, August to October | |
| Auckland | February to April, August to October | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | February to April, August to October | |
| Central North Island | February to April, September and October | Skip August in the central North Island. Hard frosts and cold soil stall seedlings, so start in September, under a cloche if you can. |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | February to April, August to October | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | February to April, August to October | |
| Canterbury | February to April, September to November | Sow Sep to Nov and Feb to Apr. Cover early sowings with a cloche or frost cloth, as frosts run to mid October. Get the last sowing in by Apr so it sizes up before winter growth stops. |
| Otago & Southland | February to April, September to November | Sow Sep to Nov and Feb to Apr. Cover early sowings with a cloche or frost cloth, as frosts run to late October. Get the last sowing in by Apr so it sizes up before winter growth stops. |
| Central Otago | February, September to November | Sow Sep to Nov and Feb. Cover early sowings with a cloche or frost cloth, as frosts run to early November. Get the last sowing in by Feb so it sizes up before winter growth stops. |
Where to plant
Sow dill in full sun in well-drained soil, sheltered from strong winds, which flatten its tall, wispy stems. It dislikes transplanting, so sow it where it is to grow. Keep it away from fennel, as the two cross-pollinate.
- Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, Wellington, and Nelson and Marlborough: sow from August to October and February to April. Summer heat makes it bolt quickly in the warm north.
- Central North Island: skip August. Sow in September and October and from February to April.
- Canterbury and Otago and Southland: sow from September to November and February to April, covering early sowings with a cloche.
- Central Otago: sow from September to November and in February.
Choosing a variety
- Bouquet: a popular early dill with plenty of seed heads, good for both leaf and pickling.
- Mammoth or tall types: vigorous, with abundant foliage and large seed heads.
- Compact types such as Lena, about 25 cm tall, suit pots and small gardens.
How to plant
- Sow seed directly, lightly covered with soil, about 0.5 cm deep.
- Water in well and keep moist; seedlings take 7 to 21 days to appear.
- Thin seedlings to about 20 to 25 cm apart.
- Mulch lightly with pea or lucerne straw to hold moisture.
Watering and feeding
Water regularly, especially in dry spells, as stress makes dill bolt. It needs little feeding.
Pruning and care through the year
- Snip leaves often and remove flower heads to prolong leafy growth.
- Sow a fresh patch every few weeks for a steady supply.
- Let some plants flower for seed and to feed beneficial insects. Dill self-seeds if heads are left to drop.
Harvesting
Snip the feathery foliage from a few weeks after sowing, taking outer leaves so the plant keeps producing. For seed, let some plants flower and cut the flat heads as they turn pale brown, then dry them in a paper bag.
Fresh dill wilts quickly; keep it in the fridge in a bag or with stems in water for a few days, or freeze chopped leaves.
Growing in pots
Dill grows in a pot at least 20 cm wide and 30 cm deep, in full sun, sheltered from wind. Compact varieties do best.
Using it
Use fresh dill with fish (including gravlax), potato and egg salads, soups such as borscht, and yoghurt sauces. Use the seed heads and seeds in pickles.
Companion planting
Dill flowers draw beneficial insects that help protect nearby crops.
Good companions
- Cabbage Dill flowers attract parasitic wasps and hoverflies that prey on cabbage pests.
- Onion A low crop that grows alongside without shading the dill.
- Corn Corn gives tall dill some shelter from wind.
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to dill.
Pests and diseases
Dill has few pests.
Pests to watch for
- Aphids Clusters of small insects on the feathery leaves and flower stems.
- Slugs Seedlings chewed, with silvery trails.
Diseases to watch for
- Powdery mildew White powder on the surface of leaves.
Common questions
Why does my dill keep going to seed?
Heat, long days and dry soil make dill bolt. Sow it in autumn or spring, water regularly, snip often and sow new patches every few weeks.
When do I sow dill in New Zealand?
From August to October and February to April in most regions. In Canterbury and the south, start in September under a cloche.
Can I transplant dill?
It is best sown directly, as it dislikes being moved.
How do I harvest dill seed?
Let some plants flower, cut the flat seed heads as they turn pale brown, and dry them in a paper bag.
Can I grow dill near fennel?
Keep them apart. They cross-pollinate readily, which spoils the seed of both.
Sources we checked: Yates NZ: How to grow dill; Yates NZ: Common problems of dill; Kings Seeds: Dill Lena.