Dill Seeds - Bouquet (Common)

Bouquet Dill, also known as Common Dill, is one of the most widely cultivated dill varieties, cherished for its fragrant, aromatic leaves and versatile culinary uses. It is a compact, easy-to-grow herb that thrives in many climates, making it a staple in herb gardens worldwide. Known for its distinctive dill flavor, Bouquet Dill is perfect for pickles, fish dishes, soups, sauces, and more. Its abundant foliage and striking yellow flower umbels make it both an attractive and functional addition to your garden.

Key Benefits

• Classic Dill Flavor: Bouquet Dill delivers the classic, sweet, and slightly tangy dill flavor, perfect for a variety of culinary dishes.
• Compact Growth: Unlike larger dill varieties, Bouquet Dill has a more compact growth habit, making it suitable for smaller gardens or container planting.
• High Yield: This variety produces a plentiful harvest of leaves and seeds, allowing for repeated harvesting throughout the growing season.
• Versatile Culinary Uses: Ideal for pickling, salads, fish, sauces, and soups, Bouquet Dill adds a refreshing herbaceous flavor to a wide range of dishes.
• Attractive in the Garden: With its fine, feathery leaves and yellow flower umbels, Bouquet Dill adds beauty and elegance to herb beds and vegetable gardens.

Variety Features

• Plant Characteristics: Bouquet Dill is a bushy, fast-growing herb that reaches about 18–24 inches in height. It produces fine, feathery, green leaves and clusters of yellow, umbrella-shaped flowers.
• Flavor Profile: The flavor is classic dill – sweet, tangy, and slightly aniseed, ideal for a wide range of culinary applications.
• Growth Habit: It grows in a dense, bushy form, making it a great choice for gardeners looking for high yields from a smaller space.
• Size: Typically grows 18–24 inches in height, with a spread of around 12 inches.

Planting Instructions

Planting Season

• Outdoors: Plant Bouquet Dill seeds in early spring, once the threat of frost has passed. For a fall harvest, sow in late summer.
• Indoors: Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost for an earlier start to the growing season.

Planting Details

• Seed Depth: Plant seeds about 1/4 inch deep in loose, well-drained soil.
• Spacing: Space plants 6–8 inches apart to ensure adequate air circulation and room for growth.
• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, fertile, loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0). Enriching the soil with compost will promote healthy growth.
• Sunlight: Full sun is ideal, although the plant can tolerate light shade in warmer climates.

Care Instructions

• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells. Water deeply to encourage strong root development, but ensure the soil is not waterlogged.
• Fertilization: Dill generally does not require heavy feeding, but a light application of compost or balanced fertilizer in early spring can support growth. Avoid over-fertilizing, as it can reduce flavor intensity.
• Weeding and Mulching: Mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Dill has shallow roots, so take care when weeding to avoid disturbing the plant.
• Pruning: Regularly trim the plant to remove spent flowers and encourage fresh leaf growth. Avoid letting the plant go to seed too early for the best flavor.

Harvesting

• Leaves: Harvest the leaves when the plant is about 8–10 inches tall. Pick individual leaves or snip entire stems to promote continued growth.
• Seeds: Allow the plant to flower and develop seeds. Once the seeds turn brown and dry, cut the flower heads and let them fully dry before removing the seeds.
• Flowers: The yellow flower umbels can be used in pickling or simply as a decorative element in your garden or dishes.

Storage

• Short-Term: Fresh dill leaves can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week in a plastic bag or container lined with a damp paper towel.
• Long-Term: To store dill long-term, hang the leaves upside down in a cool, dry place until they are fully dried. Store dried dill in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Dill seeds can also be stored in a cool, dry location for extended use.

Culinary Uses

• Pickling: Bouquet Dill is a classic choice for making pickles, adding a tangy, refreshing flavor to cucumbers and other vegetables.
• Soups and Stews: Add fresh or dried dill to soups, stews, and broths for a burst of flavor.
• Fish and Seafood: Dill pairs wonderfully with fish, particularly salmon and trout, and is a common seasoning for seafood dishes.
• Salads and Dressings: Fresh dill leaves can be added to salads, dressings, or sauces, giving them a bright, herbaceous note.
• Herbal Teas: Dill seeds can be used to make a soothing, digestive herbal tea.

Conclusion

Bouquet Dill is a classic and reliable variety of dill, offering abundant harvests of aromatic, flavorful leaves and seeds. Its compact growth habit makes it ideal for small spaces or container gardening, while its versatility in the kitchen ensures it will enhance a wide range of dishes, from pickles and fish to soups and salads. Whether you're a beginner gardener or an experienced grower, Bouquet Dill is an easy-to-grow herb that will provide flavor, fragrance, and beauty to your garden and kitchen.