Step into any herb garden and you are likely to find dill. This flavorful herb can be used in a variety of dishes like dips, potatoes, roasted vegetables, sauces, pickles, and fish; however, did you know that you can grow dill microgreens year-round and you don't need a green thumb to do it? Our easy-to-follow guide will teach you how to plant, grow, and harvest dill microgreens.
Dill microgreens provide you with the delicious flavor of dill faster than growing the herb in your garden. This microgreen grows slower than other types of microgreens; however, it is worth the wait. In about three weeks, you will have delicious and nutritious dill microgreens.
Fresh dill microgreens perfectly compliment a variety of dishes. This herbaceous microgreen contains a variety of essential vitamins and minerals. Micro dill is filled with calcium, iron, manganese, copper, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin A, and vitamin C.
Our microgreen profile provides you with all of the pertinent information that you will need when growing dill microgreens at home.
| Attribute | Profile |
| Flavor | Dill microgreens have a zesty, mild dill flavor that pairs beautifully with other microgreens, proteins, and vegetables. |
| Pre-Soak (Yes/No) | Yes – Dill microgreen seeds should be soaked in cold water for four hours. |
| Color | Micro dill has pinkish-white stems and green leaves. |
| Germination Time | The average germination time for dill microgreens is 4 to 5 days. |
| Harvest Time | You can expect to harvest your dill microgreens in 12 to 15 days. |
| Green Thumb Level (1-5) | 3 – Dill microgreens are easy to grow, making them a great choice for new microgreen gardeners. |
Dill microgreens add zest to your favorite soups and seafood dishes. The fine texture and pleasant aroma of micro dill add flair to your dishes when used as a garnish.
Whether you are new to microgreen gardening or have been doing it for years, you may have questions. Here are the most frequently asked questions concerning dill microgreens.
No, dill microgreens do not regrow after harvest. Luckily, micro dill can be grown throughout the year.
Dill microgreens are one of the slower-growing microgreens; however, you can expect to reap a harvest in approximately 2 to 3 weeks after planting micro dill seeds.
Dill microgreens have a grassy, aromatic flavor with hints of anise and lemon. The sweetness of the microgreens is quite refreshing.
Yes! Dill microgreens are filled with essential vitamins and minerals. You can find potassium, manganese, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and folate in dill microgreens.
Dill microgreens can be used the same way full-grown dill is used. You can sprinkle them on potatoes, add them to your favorite soup, include them in salads, season fish with dill microgreens, and of course, pickles.
You will only need a few pieces of equipment to grow dill microgreens. Most new microgreen gardeners can expect to spend a couple of hundred dollars in supplies. However, once the initial investment has been made, you will only need to purchase growing medium and seeds for future crops. You can either purchase a starter kit, or you can purchase individual pieces of equipment. We will explain both options below.
A starter kit like the Deluxe Starter Kit offered at True Leaf Market, provides you with the necessary equipment to get started growing microgreens. The kit includes growing trays, a misting bottle, growing medium, seeds, and the supplies need to grow microgreens in soil or hydroponically.
If you decide to purchase your equipment separately, you will need several pieces of equipment. We have gathered a list of equipment, along with optional equipment you will need to grow dill microgreens.
Dill microgreens can be grown in either soil or soilless growing mediums. We recommend growing in a soilless growing medium like coconut coir rather than seed starting soil.
Coconut Coir
Coconut coir is a soilless growing medium made from the husks of coconuts. This renewable resource holds water and is insect neutral, making it a great choice for microgreens.
Seed Starting Potting Soil
Seed starting soil is a type of fine-grained soil that contains extra nutrients to help give your plants a boost. However, because microgreens are harvested so young, these nutrients aren't needed.
Growing trays are used to hold your growing medium, seeds, and ultimately dill microgreens. For each batch of dill microgreens, you will need a total of three growing trays. You will need two trays without drainage holes and one tray with drainage holes. There are different sized trays available; however, most microgreen gardeners prefer using 10 inch by 20 inch growing trays.
The growing tray with drainage holes will be the tray that holds the soil and seeds. The drainage holes allow you to water your microgreens from the bottom up. This technique reduces the risk of mold and mildew and other soilborne diseases.
The two growing trays without holes are used in two different ways. One tray will be used to assist with bottom watering. The other tray will be used as a humidity and blackout dome during the germination stage of your dill microgreens.
A misting bottle allows you to spray a fine mist that will not disturb the seeds or roots of your dill microgreens.
A full spectrum LED grow light is used to activate photosynthesis of your dill microgreens. The light also ensures your dill microgreens grow healthy, straight, and consistent.
Dill microgreens can survive at low temperatures; however, for optimal germination and growth, you should use a heat mat and set the temperature to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
A planting rack allows you to use the vertical space of your home to house multiple growing trays. In addition to this, a planting rack provides you with an easy way to use grow lights, heating mats, and circulation fans for your dill microgreens.
Circulation fans are used to increase airflow around your dill microgreens. These fans also reduce the risk of soilborne diseases like mold and mildew.
Dill Microgreen Seeds – Mountain Valley Seed Company's dill microgreen seeds provide you with a delicious microgreen that has a stronger dill flavor than a full-grown dill plant. Micro dill leaves range in color from light to dark green and are filled with nutrients.
Bouquet Dill Microgreen Seeds – Mountain Valley Seed Company's Bouquet dill microgreen seeds have a mild, zesty dill flavor with fine, thin leaves. This microgreen features beautiful pinkish-white stems and green leaves. Bouquet micro dill is rich in numerous vitamins, minerals, and trace elements.
Follow our step by step growing guide for dill microgreens for a large harvest. The instructions are easy to follow and help ensure success.
The first thing you want to do is prepare your growing trays for planting. Begin by filling the growing tray with drainage holes with your growing medium. You will want the soil level to be just below the rim of the planting tray. Pay special attention to ensure the soil level is even and goes all the way to the edge of the planting tray.
Grab your misting bottle and thoroughly water the soil three or four times. Conversely, you can place the tray in a sink with a couple of inches of water and allow the soil to soak up the water for at least 30 minutes.
Now that your soil is properly prepared, it is time to set up your growing trays and get ready to sow your dill microgreen seeds. Place your prepared tray inside one of your growing trays with no holes and grab your seed packet.
Once your growing trays are prepared, it is time to plant your dill microgreen seeds. You will need approximately 15 grams of dill seeds for each 10 inch by 20 inch growing tray. This amount of seed will ensure good density.
Sprinkle the seeds across the entire surface of the growing tray and then cover the seeds with a very thin layer of growing medium. Then, lightly mist the soil again using your misting bottle. The soil should be moist; however, it should not be overly saturated or wet.
Once you have sown your dill seeds, it will be time for the germination period. Germination occurs in the dark, which is where the last growing tray comes into play.
Invert the tray and place it directly on top of your planted dill seeds. Then, weigh down the tray with a heavy book, stone, or weight. Don't worry the weight will not harm your dill microgreens. In fact, the weight will help your microgreens grow strong roots and eventually stems.
Your microgreens should germinate within four to five days. Check your seeds on day four. If at least 90 percent of your seeds haven't germinated, replace the inverted tray, weigh it back down, and give it another day or two.
Once your dill microgreens have germinated, it is time to remove the blackout, humidity dome. Once the inverted tray has been removed, you will need to place your microgreens under full spectrum LED grow lights.
Attach your grow lights to your microgreen planting wrack so the lights are 12 inches from your dill microgreens. Grow lights are designed to activate photosynthesis and ensure dill microgreens grow evenly. These lights will remain on continuously until your dill microgreens are ready to harvest.
After you have set up your grow lights, it is time to turn on your circulation fans. Place the circulation fans so that they blow horizontally across the stems and leaves of your dill microgreens rather than pointing them down as this will cause your soil to dry out too quickly.
The circulation fans increase airflow to your dill microgreens to reduce the risk of soilborne diseases like mold and mildew. These fans will remain on through the remainder of the growth cycle until your dill microgreens are ready to harvest.
Knowing when to harvest dill microgreens can be difficult for a new microgreen gardener. On average, your micro dill will be ready to harvest once the cotyledons have developed and the first set of true leaves begin to form.
Flavors can change quickly; therefore, you should taste your microgreens daily once the cotyledons have formed. Once the dill microgreens reach the desired flavor profile, it is time to harvest your microgreens.
However, before moving on to the next step, you should withhold watering for at least 12 hours. Excess water in your microgreens can reduce the amount of time your microgreens can be stored.
In order to harvest your microgreens, you will need a very sharp knife or pair of scissors. If your knife or scissors are dull, it will bruise the microgreens, resulting in poor storage times.
Grab a couple of paper towels and place them on a plate or on your countertop. Then, begin harvesting your microgreens by grasping the dill in one hand while cutting it with the other hand.
You want to harvest as much of the stem as you can. Cut the microgreens approximately one quarter of an inch above the soil level.
If you will be using your dill microgreens immediately, place the cut dill microgreens in a bowl of cool water and swirl to remove any soil or seed husks. Then, place them on a couple of clean, dry paper towels and allow your microgreens to air dry.
Conversely, if you will be storing your dill microgreens, avoid exposing them to water as this can shorten their lifespan. Instead, place your cut microgreens on a paper towel as soon as they are harvested and move on to the next step, storing your dill microgreens.
If you are not going to eat your dill microgreens immediately, you will need to store them in the refrigerator. The key to long-lasting dill microgreens is proper storage practices.
Gently wrap your dill microgreens in a paper towel and place them in an airtight container or an airtight storage bag before placing them in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator. When properly stored, dill microgreens will last about a week in the refrigerator.
Dill microgreens are nutritious and tasty. Although these microgreens take a little longer than many other microgreens, dill microgreens are easy to grow. Follow our step-by-step instructions to learn how to plant, grow, harvest, and store dill microgreens.
