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Anethum graveolens

Dill · Garden Dill

Family ApiaceaeGenus Anethum

Tall feathery-leaved stems topped with flat yellow-green flower umbels, in a garden row against a cloudy sky
The whole plantTepeyacCC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Annual, HerbExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
annualPlants of the World Online
Height
2.5-5 ft0.8-1.5 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
2-3 ft60-90 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Gold/YellowExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Algeria, Chad, Cyprus, Gulf States, Iran, Lebanon-Syria and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
2-11Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), SandExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, MoistExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • Its name Anethum comes from a Greek word that meant both dill and anise. Where the word dill comes from is unknown. Wikipedia: Dill
  • Black swallowtail caterpillars often eat it, as they do its relatives fennel and parsley. Wikipedia: Dill

This source reports three treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 8, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C Light: either

Germination happens during step 1, in 28 days.

100% germination in 28 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Anethum p. 96Public domain
Show the original text
Anethum (Apiaceae). A. graveolens germ. 70(84% in 5-16 d),40(100% in 4th w), and 70% in April in outdoor treatment. The outdoor treatment was started in March, and it is possible that the seed cannot tolerate the temperatures around 10 which were experienced in March. Light had no effect.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Anethum p. 96. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 20, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: either

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 16 days to germinate.

84% germination in 5–16 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Anethum p. 96Public domain
Show the original text
Anethum (Apiaceae). A. graveolens germ. 70(84% in 5-16 d),40(100% in 4th w), and 70% in April in outdoor treatment. The outdoor treatment was started in March, and it is possible that the seed cannot tolerate the temperatures around 10 which were experienced in March. Light had no effect.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Anethum p. 96. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Sow around March 2027 — a date the source gives, not one counted back from a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow outdoors and leave it

    Sown outdoors in March; up in April.

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 30 days to germinate.

70% germination in 30 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Anethum p. 96Public domain
Show the original text
Anethum (Apiaceae). A. graveolens germ. 70(84% in 5-16 d),40(100% in 4th w), and 70% in April in outdoor treatment. The outdoor treatment was started in March, and it is possible that the seed cannot tolerate the temperatures around 10 which were experienced in March. Light had no effect.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Anethum p. 96. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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