Catherine Love~ Ramblings from my Heart and Home

Herb of the Week

I thought that since I love herbs, I'd pick one a week and share a little bit about some of my favorites.  It's hard to choose which herb to start with, because my list of favorites is quite lengthy!  Since the cucumbers are getting ripe around here how about we begin with.....

Dill

Anethum graveolens

Dill is one of the first herbs I ever grew.  It's an annual, and grows so easily from seed that almost all you need to do is toss some seeds on the ground and wait for them to sprout!  Dill isn't too choosy- it grows in sun or part shade.  Though I've often seen little potted dill plants for sale, it really doesn't transplant well due to its' long taproot.  I've tried several times, and even if the plants lived, they never really took off and flourished.  I've had  much better results with seeds.   Dill will also self-seed itself year after year- often coming up in the most unexpected spots!

 Dill likes cool weather, so in the south it's best to plant dill early in the fall.  When the weather heats up, dill will bloom and set seed.  Save some of those for planting and some for breadbaking.  Harvest the leaves, stems, and flowers to make dill vinegar.   You'll be ready to make pickles when the cucumbers get ripe! 

More on dill vinegar and other good things to make with Dill  tomorrow!

Garden Blessings,

Catherine