How To Harvest and Store Dill

Dill is one of the most widely used herbs in the culinary world. It’s harvested for its frond-like leaves and flavor-packed seeds. When added to soups or stews, it delivers a punch of flavor. Dill is commonly used in seafood dishes, salads, yogurt sauces, and even bread. Many people also use it as a garnish or for pickling. All in all, knowing how to harvest dill can elevate your everyday recipes.

The best part is that growing and harvesting dill is incredibly easy. With proper harvesting techniques, you can enjoy a continuous supply of fresh dill throughout the growing season. Since dill is self-seeding, allowing the plants to flower and set seed can help you establish a permanent dill patch in your garden.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, you can grow dill at home for a steady harvest. Once picked, fresh dill weed can last a long time when stored correctly. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about harvesting and storing both dill leaves and seeds.

When to Harvest Dill

While you can pick dill leaves at virtually any time, the best time to harvest dill weed is just before the plants begin to flower. This is when the oil content in the leaves is at its peak, giving you the most potent flavor. To extend your harvest, try to prevent the plants from flowering and going to seed.

It’s generally best to pick herbs, including dill, on a dry day. Start early in the morning, just after the dew has evaporated but before the heat of the day sets in.

Dill grows quickly, and the leaves are typically ready to harvest about 6 to 8 weeks after planting. You can begin picking once the plant has at least four to five healthy leaves, but avoid harvesting more than one-third of the plant at a time. This allows it to regrow and continue producing. If you find yourself using fresh dill frequently, consider planting in larger quantities to ensure a steady supply.

If you plan to harvest dill seeds, allow some of your plants to go to seed. Once flowering begins, you can still harvest the leaves, but the flavor may begin to change. The flower heads are essential for seed production, as that’s where the seeds will form.

How To Harvest Dill

While harvesting dill is easy, it’s still an important process, as plant growth and foliage production depend on it. Snipping off too much dill at once can slow the plant’s recovery and reduce future growth.

Start by taking the older leaves first, unless you have a large, well-established dill plant. Use a pair of sharp, sterile scissors to trim the leaves cleanly and avoid damaging the stems.

Always water your dill plant the day before harvesting. This ensures the plant is well hydrated and can recover more quickly. If you water from overhead, it will also help rinse the leaves, saving you the step of washing them before use.

Harvesting Dill Seeds

Dill seeds are about 4 to 5 mm long and appear after the flowers fade. If you want to collect dill seeds, wait until the flower heads have set seed and the seeds begin to turn brown. This is a clear sign they are ready to harvest.

To collect the seeds, carefully place a paper bag over the flower heads. You may need to gently bend the stem to avoid dropping any seeds. Once the stem is bent, snip it at the bend and let the seed head fall into the bag. Repeat this process until you’ve collected as many seed heads as you need, then place the bag in a dry, well-ventilated spot to allow them to dry fully.

Once the seed heads are dry, crush them gently between your hands to release the seeds. Pour the mixture onto a flat surface and lightly blow across it to separate the chaff from the seeds.

How To Store Fresh Dill

Harvested herbs wilt quickly, but that shouldn’t be a problem if you use them soon or know how to store your dill properly.

To store fresh dill, wrap the stems loosely in damp paper towels. Then place the wrapped stems in a sealable plastic bag and store them in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer. Stored this way, the herbs will last for several days without losing flavor.

If you’ve harvested full stems, you can also store dill in water. Place the cut ends in about an inch of water in a jar, then cover the top loosely with a plastic bag to create a humid environment. Store the jar in the refrigerator and change the water daily. This method can keep your dill fresh for up to a week with minimal wilting or flavor loss.

For long-term storage, freeze dill weed. Wash the harvested leaves, chop them, and place the minced dill in ice cube trays. Fill each compartment with just enough water to cover the herb. Once frozen solid, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe plastic bag. Frozen dill will retain its flavor for 3 to 4 months.

Drying

Another way to store dill long-term is by drying it. Keep in mind that dried dill is generally less flavorful than fresh or frozen dill, especially if heat is used during the drying process. If you choose to use heat, do not exceed 110°F (43°C). A gentler option is to hang-dry the dill, or use an air-only dehydrator or a box fan drying method.

To hang-dry dill, gather a few stems and tie them together with string. Hang the bunches upside down in a well-ventilated area. Once the leaves are dry and crumble easily at a touch, transfer them to a glass jar for storage. For best flavor, use dried dill within one year.