Boquet, Dukat (highly aromatic), Fernleaf, Mammoth. For trial: Long Island.

SEEDING

Dill seed numbers approximately 14,000 per ounce. Seeds are sown to allow for a final stand of plants 6-10 inches apart in rows 2-3 feet apart. One to two lb of seed are needed per acre if grown for fresh market, and 5-8 lb per acre if grown to be distilled for oil. When grown for distillation, plant population is higher, with approximately 6-10 plants per lineal foot.

For use with dill pickles, seed 1 week earlier than pickling cucumbers.

SOILS AND FERTILIZER

A well-drained sandy soil is best. Fertilizer applications should be based on soil test. The crop should not be over-fertilized with nitrogen or it will produce excess leaves and stalk rather than seed. If available, apply barnyard manure at 10 tons/acre early in the spring. Also at, or just before planting, apply:

Nitrogen: 75-100 N lb/acre
Phosphorus: 80-120 (P205) lb/acre
Potassium: 80-120 (K20) lb/acre
Sulfur: 15-20 (S) lb/acre

HARVESTING AND HANDLING

Yields of dill are estimated at about 5,000 lb fresh weight/acre. Dry weight is reported at from 1,000 to 3,000 lb/acre.

When bunching for fresh market, cut or pull stalks and bunch after the majority of seeds have formed but are still green.

If dill is to be distilled for oil, harvest just as plants begin to form seed stalks. Plants are machine harvested into special steel tanks for steam distillation.

For seed, combine when seed has dried to 10% moisture or less.

PACKAGING

Dill is bunched 12-18 plants per bunch for fresh market.

PEST CONTROL FOR DILL

THE PESTICIDES LISTED BELOW, TAKEN FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST PEST CONTROL HANDBOOKS, ARE FOR INFORMATION ONLY, AND ARE REVISED ONLY ANNUALLY. BECAUSE OF CONSTANTLY CHANGING LABELS, LAWS, AND REGULATIONS, OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY CAN ASSUME NO LIABILITY FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF USE OF CHEMICALS SUGGESTED HERE. IN ALL CASES, READ AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS AND PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS ON THE SPECIFIC PESTICIDE PRODUCT LABEL.

USE PESTICIDES SAFELY!

Wear protective clothing and safety devices as recommended on the label. Bathe or shower after each use.

Read the pesticide label--even if you've used the pesticide before. Follow closely the instructions on the label (and any other directions you have).

Be cautious when you apply pesticides. Know your legal responsibility as a pesticide applicator. You may be liable for injury or damage resulting from pesticide use.

Note that Oregon law requires reporting of pesticide use to the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture under its on-line PURS system, starting in January 2002.

WEED CONTROL

The Pacific Northwest Weed Control Handbook has no control entries for this crop. Cultivate as often as necessary when weeds are small. Proper cultivation, field selection and rotations can reduce or eliminate the need for chemical weed control.

INSECT CONTROL

Proper rotations and field selection can minimize problems with insects.

THE PESTICIDES LISTED BELOW ARE TAKEN FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST INSECT CONTROL HANDBOOK, AND ARE FOR INFORMATION ONLY. CONSULT PRODUCT LABELS FOR CURRENTLY LEGAL REGISTRATIONS, RATES AND COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS.

For aphids, including the carrot aphid (Cavariella aegopodii), apply Pyrellin at 1 to 2 pt per acre or M-Pede, 1 to 2% solution (see label), or Neemix 4.5 at 5 to 7 oz product/acre.

Carrot aphids are green plant lice that colonize the heads of dill.

DISEASE CONTROL

Diseases are not generally a problem. The Pacific Northwest Disease Control Handbook has no control entries for this crop.

Proper rotations, field selection, sanitation, spacings, fertilizer and irrigation practices can reduce the risk of many diseases. Fields can be tested for presence of harmful nematodes. Using seed from reputable sources reduces risk from "seed-borne" diseases.