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How to Grow Herb Bundle: Dill & Parsley

Herb Bundle: Dill & Parsley

Anethum graveolens & Petroselinum crispum

herb

Dill and parsley are popular culinary herbs prized for their fresh, distinctive flavors. Dill features feathery, delicate foliage and is essential in pickling and seafood dishes, while parsley offers robust, versatile leaves used in countless cuisines. Both are cool-season herbs that grow quickly and can be harvested repeatedly throughout the season.

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Example Herb Bundle: Dill & Parsley timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Herb Bundle: Dill & Parsley

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Herb Bundle: Dill & Parsley

    Around May 22

    ≈ 35 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Herb Bundle: Dill & Parsley dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun to partial shade, 6+ hours daily (partial shade in zones 8+)
💧
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply 1-2 times weekly; more frequently in hot weather. Both prefer steady moisture.
📏
Spacing: Dill: 12-18 inches apart; Parsley: 6-12 inches apart inches
📅
Days to maturity: Dill: 35-50 days; Parsley: 70-90 days (from seed)
🌱
Planting depth: Dill: ¼ inch; Parsley: ¼ inch (seeds are tiny)

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil, moderately fertile
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Compost Aged manure Peat moss

Growing Zones

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Both thrive in zones 3-10; prefer cooler weather of spring and fall in warmer zones

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b

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Growth Stages

1

Germination & Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny seeds sprout; first true leaves appear after 7-14 days. Very delicate seedlings.

Keep soil moist but not soggy. Thin seedlings when 2 inches tall. Dill germinates faster than parsley.

2

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant develops multiple sets of true leaves. Dill becomes feathery and fine; parsley becomes bushier with more leaf divisions.

Ensure consistent moisture and adequate light. Pinch tips if desired to encourage bushiness. Light feeding with balanced fertilizer.

3

Leaf Development & Harvesting

4-8 weeks (ongoing harvest period)

Plant reaches harvestable size with mature foliage. Leaves are tender and full-flavored. Can begin pinching leaves regularly.

Begin harvesting outer leaves when plant has 4-6 true leaves. Regular harvesting promotes more leaf growth. Continue watering consistently.

4

Flowering (Bolting)

6-10 weeks after leaf stage (varies by temperature)

Dill produces delicate yellow flower umbels; parsley produces small greenish-white flowers on tall stems. Foliage becomes less tender.

Dill flowers and seeds are edible and attractive; harvest them or let plants go to seed for next year. Parsley bolting signals end of prime leaf harvest; can still use leaves but flavor changes.

5

Seed Production & End of Season

2-4 weeks

Flowers mature into seeds. Plant yellows and dries. Dill seeds turn brown and are ready to harvest.

Allow dill to dry on plant if saving seeds; harvest seed heads when brown. Leave parsley to go to seed for self-sowing or collect seeds. Both plants complete their lifecycle.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Cucumber Corn Beans Carrot Lettuce Spinach Onion Tomato Squash

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Cilantro (with dill) Carrot (competition for space)

Common Pests

  • Hand-pick or tolerate minor damage; these caterpillars are beneficial pollinators. Can use row covers on young plants if concerned.

  • Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Increase humidity.

  • Spray with strong water stream, insecticidal soap, or neem oil. Plant attracts beneficial insects that control aphids.

  • Hand-pick, use copper tape barriers, apply diatomaceous earth, or use slug bait around plants.

  • Yellow sticky traps, insecticidal soap, or neem oil spray.

Uses

🍳

Dill in Pickling & Seafood

Culinary

Dill is essential in pickle brines and pairs exceptionally well with fish, salmon, and seafood dishes. Its anise-like flavor enhances cream sauces and gravies. [source]

🍳

Parsley in Sauces & Garnish

Culinary

Parsley is a foundational herb in Italian parsley sauce (salsa verde), chimichurri, and fines herbes. Fresh parsley leaves brighten soups, vegetables, and meat dishes. [source]

💊

Digestive & Detoxification Support

Medicinal

Both dill and parsley have traditionally been used to aid digestion and reduce bloating. Dill water is a folk remedy for infant colic, and parsley contains chlorophyll which may support detoxification. [source]

🏠

Breath Freshener & Kitchen Use

Household

Parsley is used in fresh herb teas and as a natural breath freshener when chewed. Both herbs flavor stocks, broths, and cooking liquids. [source]

🎨

Drying & Seed Harvesting

Craft

Dill flowers and seed heads are beautiful in dried arrangements and attract beneficial insects. Parsley and dill seeds can be saved for next season's planting. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Dill: Begin harvesting leaves when plant is 6-8 inches tall; pinch off young leaves from top to encourage bushiness. Harvest dill flowers when umbels open but before seeds brown. Harvest dill seeds when fully brown and dry. Parsley: Harvest outer leaf stems first, cutting at base of stem. Regular harvesting (2-3 times weekly) keeps plant producing. Both herbs are best used fresh but can be dried or frozen. Dill is best used fresh or lightly dried. Parsley maintains flavor when dried; freeze in oil or water for best results.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Dill's name comes from the Old Norse word 'dylla,' meaning 'to soothe,' reflecting its traditional use as a calming herb.
  • 🌱 Parsley is biennial when not harvested; it produces only leaves the first year and flowers and seeds the second year, allowing you to collect seeds for future planting.
  • 🌱 Dill flowers are irresistibly attractive to swallowtail butterfly caterpillars, making it an excellent pollinator plant even though the caterpillars eat the foliage.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Bolt Full Sun Partial Shade True Leaves
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