Domakihub How to Grow Dill: Fresh Herb from Seed to Harvest
Plant, nurture, and harvest dill at home — for kitchens, balconies, and holiday-rental gardens across Greece.
Reviewed by Domakihub garden pros · 2026-06-23 · 4 min read
Dill is one of the easiest herbs you can grow in Greece, thriving in the long sunny seasons that the Mediterranean climate generously provides. Whether you manage a private home, a holiday rental with a kitchen garden, or a hotel terrace, a small patch of dill pays back quickly with aromatic fronds perfect for salads, grilled fish, and tzatziki. The video above walks through the full visual journey from seed to harvest; the steps below give you the exact method to follow at home.
Why Dill Grows So Well in Greece
Greece's warm springs and long dry summers suit dill almost perfectly. This cool-to-warm season herb bolts (flowers and sets seed) when temperatures climb above roughly 27 °C, so the strategy in Greece is to start early — late February through April — and again in early autumn from September. Coastal locations with sea breezes can extend the productive window on both ends.
Dill is also a natural companion for fennel's absence: because dill and fennel cross-pollinate easily, keep them apart in the garden. Beyond that, dill draws beneficial pollinators and parasitic wasps that keep pests down, making it a smart choice for any organic kitchen garden or rental property trying to minimize pesticide use.
Choosing the Right Spot and Soil
Dill needs at least six hours of direct sun per day and well-draining soil with a pH around 5.8–6.5. Sandy loam or a standard potting mix enriched with compost works well. In containers — ideal for apartment balconies or hotel roof terraces — choose a pot at least 30 cm deep to accommodate dill's taproot; shallower pots stress the plant and trigger premature bolting.
Avoid overwatering. Dill is drought-tolerant once established and will rot in waterlogged soil. If your property has heavy clay soil, raise your bed by 10–15 cm or grow in containers entirely.
How to Grow Dill in 5 Steps
- 1
Sow seeds directly in the ground
Dill has a long taproot and dislikes transplanting. Sow seeds directly where they will grow, about 5 mm deep, scattering a small pinch per spot. Thin seedlings to 20–25 cm apart once they reach 5 cm tall. In Greece, aim for late February to April for the spring crop, or September for autumn.
- 2
Water gently and consistently
Keep the soil evenly moist for the first two weeks until germination, which typically takes 7–14 days. After that, water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day. Let the top centimetre of soil dry out between waterings to prevent fungal issues, especially in humid coastal areas.
- 3
Feed sparingly
Dill is a light feeder. Work a slow-release balanced fertiliser into the soil at planting time, or add a thin layer of compost. Avoid high-nitrogen liquid feeds during the growing season — too much nitrogen pushes lush leaf growth but weakens the aromatic oils that make dill worth growing.
- 4
Pinch back flowers to extend the harvest
When a flower stalk (umbel) begins to form, pinch it off to redirect the plant's energy into producing more feathery fronds. You can repeat this once or twice. Eventually, if you want dill seeds for cooking or for next season's planting, allow one or two plants to bolt fully and collect the seed heads when they turn light brown.
- 5
Harvest regularly from the top down
Begin harvesting once plants reach about 20 cm tall by snipping sprigs from the top third of the plant. Frequent, moderate harvesting encourages bushier growth. For the freshest flavour, harvest in the morning after the dew has dried. Use dill immediately or store loosely wrapped in a damp paper towel in the refrigerator for up to a week.
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FAQ
- Can I grow dill in a pot on a Greek apartment balcony?
- Yes — dill grows well in containers at least 30 cm deep placed in a sunny south- or west-facing spot. Use a quality potting mix, water consistently, and expect a slightly shorter season than an in-ground bed because pots heat up faster in midsummer and trigger bolting earlier.
- Why does my dill keep bolting before I can harvest much?
- Bolting is almost always caused by heat or day-length stress. In Greece, switch to an autumn sowing (September–October) and choose a heat-tolerant variety such as 'Bouquet' or 'Fernleaf'. Providing afternoon shade during the hottest months also delays bolting noticeably.
- How do I save dill seeds for next season?
- Allow one or two plants to flower and let the seed heads ripen on the plant until they turn tan-brown. Cut the entire umbel, place it upside-down in a paper bag, and leave it in a cool dry spot for a week. Shake the bag to release seeds, then store them in a sealed glass jar away from light and moisture. Properly stored dill seeds remain viable for 3–5 years.