How to Grow Dill Greensleeves

Tiny cotyledons emerge followed by thin, delicate first true leaves. Plants are fragile and barely visible above soil.

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Germination takes 7-14 days. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once 2 inches tall. Direct sow in situ if possible to minimize transplant shock.

Plant develops its characteristic feathery foliage in a low, bushy mound. Greensleeves maintains a compact form without bolting rush.

Pinch terminal growth if you want to encourage bushiness, though Greensleeves is naturally compact. Begin light harvesting of outer leaves once plant has 5-6 true leaves. Keep consistently watered.

Plant reaches mature foliage at 12-18 inches, fully leafed out with dense fronds. This is the peak stage for herb harvest and flavor.

Harvest leaves regularly to maintain bushiness and delay bolting. Cut from the outside in, or harvest entire stems. Use immediately or dry for storage. Container plants may need supplemental liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks.

Small yellow flowers appear in flat-topped umbels (clusters) at the top of the plant. Foliage becomes coarser and less flavorful as energy diverts to seed production.

For fresh herb use, remove flower buds to extend the vegetative stage. For seed harvest, allow flowers to develop fully; seeds mature in 2-3 weeks after flowering and turn brown. Let seed heads dry on plant, then collect.

Flowers fade and seed pods (schizocarps) dry to brown, with visible seeds ready to drop naturally.

Allow seeds to mature fully on the plant. Cut entire seed head into a paper bag to catch seeds as they dry and fall. Store dry seeds in a cool, dark place. Greensleeves is sometimes cut before this stage to maintain ornamental appearance.