Dill Weed is a leafy green herb belonging to the celery family Apiaceae. Dill Weed Farming is native to North Africa, Chad, Iran, and the Arabian Peninsula; it is widely grown in Eurasia, where the seeds and leaves are used as a herb or spices for flavouring food. In India and worldwide, dill weed is one of the few herbs added to various dishes. Cuisines all over the world have been using it in their dishes. Salads, soups, curries, or pies, what have you? Dill Weed would be an amazing addition. What’s more, you can eat dill weeds raw as well!
Crops such as dill weed are constantly in good demand, so the market for this crop will never falter. But remember, the supply usually meets the demand as well because farmers all over the world cultivate this crop. Therefore, It is priced evenly throughout the year. The chances of profiting from dill weed cultivation are very high with the right temperature, weather conditions, soil, irrigation, and fertilisers. Chances of losses are low due to various factors, including the fact that dill weed can be harvested multiple times and has a high nutritional value. Farmers almost always go on a profit when it comes to dill weed cultivation, and it is a sure crop to make a profit.
Some facts about Growing Dill Weed
Dill Weed farming can be done from full sun to partial shade either in the home garden or outdoor gardens. Dill Weed requires good fertilisers and nutrients as it is a heavy feeder. 4-1-2 ratios of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (n-p-k) are good enough to grow healthy dill weed leaves. Usually, dill weed germinates from seeds but you can also grow them from cuttings.
Varieties of Dill Weed
Farmers in India mainly grow these two types of dill weed, the European dill and Indian dill. Here’s some more information about the two varieties:
European dill (Anethum graveolens) is the most common variety that grows in India. It has feathery green leaves and yellow flowers that produce aromatic seeds. Pickling, cooking, and medicinal purposes are some of its uses.
Indian dill (Anethum sowa) is a variant of European dill that occurs in India. Its foliage is why farmers cultivate as a cold weather crop throughout the Indian sub-continent, Malaysian archipelago and Japan . It has a stronger aroma to complement its flavour opposite the European dill and is an ingredient in salads, soups, curries, and pies.
Climate for Cultivation
Dill Weed grows at moderate to cool temperatures. The growth stage of dill weed demands about 15-30 degrees Celsius temperature for growing optimally. Let’s say you are in a region with possibilities of frost-like temperature, that is below 10 degrees; dill weed might have a problem. If the temperature goes above 30 degrees, there is a lot of stress, and plants tend to bolt or produce seeds rather than leaves. Chances of diseases are also high with higher temperatures, often affecting yield.
Ideal Soil for Cultivation
Experts often recommend loamy soil with high organic matter for dill weed cultivation. Keep the soil loose and easy to penetrate. You can use a tiller mounted on your Mahindra Jivo 245 to finish the job. Waterlogging is an issue, and acidic soil is another. Adding cow manure, compost, and organic waste to the soil during the first soil preparation could result in better soil conditions for dill weed cultivation. The ideal soil pH range is 6 to 7.
Planting
The best and proper time to plant would be a month or two before the last day of frost. And reasonably so, the dill weed crops would be ready for a harvest a month or two before the next winter starts. Ideally, sowing dill weed seeds 1/8 – 1/4 inch in depth is preferred. And plant them two inches apart in rows 12 to 18 inches apart so they don’t have to fight for light and nutrition. The seeds will germinate best in a soil temperature of about 70°F. Planting delay may cause bolting or flowering of dill weed and lower yields. It is always a necessity to keep track of planting. Dill Weed can also grow from cuttings or in containers at home.
Harvesting
Harvesting occurs when the leaves are 3-4 inches long and tender. Once they are ready, farmers start the harvest by cutting off the outer leaves from the base of the plant. This will encourage more growth and multiple harvests. Usually, the harvest of dill weed happens every 10-14 days. There are more factors that have a hand in the harvest. And they are none but the growth rate of the batch and the weather conditions. Regular irrigation is ideal for keeping the soil moist but not soggy. Dill Weed harvested in this manner is highly nutritional, and you can consume it either raw or cooked.
Conclusion
The yield of dill weed depends on variety and season. High-yield varieties yield approximately 125 quintals per acre in 45 days, while some varieties can yield 20-30 quintals per acre, which is nominal but still highly profitable. Additionally, you can use mechanical methods to increase your yield. Invest in a Mahindra 275 DI XP PLUS to improve your yield and decrease the workload. Dill Weed is a cool-season crop that grows throughout the year in temperate regions and can somewhat tolerate frost. Dill Weed is a versatile herb that has a lot of uses in many dishes and has many health benefits.