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Dill: Herb of the Year 2010

Selected by the International Herb Association, Dill is officially the herb of the year. This cool season plant is best when planted in very early spring or in late fall. Dill does best when planted from seed, because it doesn’t transplant well. Simply scatter in a container on the patio or in the garden in early spring. Dill plants grow best in full sun. Other than this, dill will grow happily in both poor and rich soil or in damp or dry conditions. One of the benefits of growing dill is that both the leaves and seeds of dill weed plants are edible.

When the daytime temperatures reach the mid to upper 60s, your dill will bolt, meaning, it will put up seed shoots and go to seed. There is not much you can do to prevent this because the plant wants to set seed for the next season. Gather the ripened, dry seed for use later, or scatter then on the soil for another crop. Often you will get a crop in late summer that lasts through the first hard freeze, when the plant finally dies. Dill is an annual, or a plant that will not return the next year, although the scattered seed will produce new plants the next season. Dill weed, or the leaves, are also easy to harvest and dry. Simply cut leaves and lay them on newspapers indoors, out of sunlight. In about a week the dill will be dried and you can put it in an airtight container to use later.

Dill Seasoning Tips:

  • Dill seeds have a strong flavor, so use sparingly.
  • Dill leaves can be dried or frozen. Cut off leaves with scissors as needed.
  • Dill can be frozen in small plastic bags for up to 6 months. Use what you need and keep the rest frozen until later.
  • One tablespoon chopped fresh dill equals 1 teaspoon dried dill weed.
  • One half ounce fresh dill equals about one half cup of leaves.

RECIPE: Dill Dip (24 servings)
Ingredients:

  • 2 cups mayonnaise
  • 2 cups sour cream
  • 3 tablespoons chopped onion
  • 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
  • 3 teaspoons dried dill weed
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar

Directions:
In a medium bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, chopped onion, seasoning salt, dill weed, and white sugar. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours before serving.

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 88 | Total Fat: 9.3g | Cholesterol

RECIPE: Garlic Dill New Potatoes
(5 servings)
Ingredients:

  • 8 medium red potatoes, cubed
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:
Place the potatoes in a steamer basket, and set in a pan over an inch of boiling water. Cover, and steam for about 10 minutes, until potatoes are tender but not mushy.

In a small bowl, stir together the butter, dill, garlic, and salt. Transfer the potatoes to a serving bowl, and pour the seasoned butter over them. Toss gently until they are well-coated.

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 330 | Total Fat: 7.2g | Cholesterol: 19mg

Design A Landscape
That Works

Raised beds have been around for years, but have become increasingly popular in the past few years because they make the landscape orderly, organized and easy to maintain. You can readily reach over and pull weeds as they appear, plant more comfortably, and enjoy the new depth and dimension of your lawn and garden. Raised beds are also particularly helpful if you are working with heavy soils that drain poorly.

We have listed a few steps to successfully bring gardening to a higher level:

  1. Define the bed lines with a rope or hose.

  2. Dig a 4-6” deep edge along the perimeter.

  3. Remove existing sod/grass from the bed.

  4. Place Belgian Block, wall stone or edging along this new bed line.

  5. Build up your flower bed approximately 6-8” with a combination of top soil, cow manure and peat moss.

  6. Compact your soil mixture as your build up each layer.

  7. Increase the visual impact of your flower bed by planting at different levels with lower growing plants followed by medium then tall plants in the back.

  8. Apply a 2-3” layer of mulch or stone and thoroughly soak your new landscape feature. Sprinkle Miracle Gro Weed Preventer over the area to provide an invisible layer of protection against germinating weeds.