Fernleaf, Dill Seeds

Fernleaf Dill Seed

Compact award winner delivers full dill flavor without flopping
Refined foliage fits containers and smaller gardens
Slow bolting extends harvests of fragrant leaves
Snip into pickles, seafood, potatoes, and sauces

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Anethum graveolens

Days to maturity

60 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

250 Seeds

About Fernleaf, Dill Seed, Dill Seed

Fernleaf dill seeds produce a compact, refined form of dill developed in the late 20th century for home gardens and container growing, offering classic dill flavor in a smaller, neater plant. Also known as dwarf dill or compact dill, Fernleaf is characterized by finely cut, feathery blue-green foliage, sturdy stems, and a slower tendency to bolt compared to traditional tall dill varieties.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/4"

Days to Germination

7–21 days

In-row plant spacing

12"

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

24 inches

Growth Habits

Compact, Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

16,900

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Growing Season

Cool-Season Crop

Before Planting

A successful Dill planting begins with a full-sun to lightly shaded site with fertile, well-drained soil that retains moderate moisture. Work compost into the bed and prepare a fine, weed-free surface for the usually small seed. Plan convenient irrigation, and use containers or barriers before planting if dill may spread aggressively.

Planting

Direct sow dill in early spring after hard freezes have passed, since its taproot makes transplanting less desirable. Keep the seedbed evenly moist through emergence and thin seedlings after true leaves form. Make small succession sowings every 2–3 weeks for continuous leaf harvest. Where winters are mild, a late-summer or fall sowing can extend production.

Watering

Dill grows best with even moisture. Water deeply during dry periods, allowing only slight surface drying between applications, and ensure containers or beds drain freely.

Fertilizer

Dill benefits from moderate feeding when repeatedly harvested. Apply diluted balanced fertilizer or compost between cuttings, following label rates and avoiding soluble-salt buildup.

Harvesting

Clip dill during the cool morning when foliage is dry and aromatic oils are concentrated. Harvest leaves before full bloom, leaving enough healthy growth for the plant to recover.

Tips

Grow extra dill plants for succession harvests and pinch stems above leaf nodes. Allow a few flowers for pollinators or seed, but remove the rest to preserve leaf quality.

Pests & Diseases

Dill can develop powdery mildew, downy mildew, Cercospora leaf spot, damping-off, and aster yellows. Distorted yellow umbels suggest aster yellows; remove the whole plant and manage leafhoppers. Rotate Apiaceae crops and do not save seed from spotted or malformed flower heads.

Monitor dill for aphids, mites, whiteflies, leafminers, and slugs. Remove badly infested stems, maintain weed control, and select treatments labeled for edible herbs when intervention is necessary.