When to plant Dill in Subtropical Australia

Subtropical zone — applies to Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Coffs Harbour, Lismore and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Temperate · Cool · Tropical · Arid.

Sow dill direct in the cooler shoulder seasons — March and April, then again in July and August — where it will grow, since it sends down a taproot and dislikes being moved. This quick, feathery herb prefers the milder subtropical months and tends to bolt straight to flower in the summer heat and humidity that hangs over Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Seed germinates in 14 to 21 days and the plant is fast to a usable harvest at 40 to 60 days. Sow shallowly at 2 to 4mm and keep the soil moist while the fine seedlings establish. Successive small sowings keep leafy dill coming rather than a rush of flower stems.

Sowing calendar — subtropical zone

Green months are your sowing window: March to April and July to August.

Growing notes

Dill suits the subtropical shoulder seasons because it loathes both frost and prolonged heat, and the autumn and mid-winter windows thread that needle. An autumn sowing in March or April gives leafy growth before the cold; the July and August sowings run into spring warmth, so pick the foliage promptly before rising temperatures trigger flowering. Once dill bolts, leaf production stops, though the flower heads and seed are useful in their own right.

Grow it in full sun in free-draining, moderately fertile soil, spacing or thinning plants to about 20cm with 25 to 30cm between rows. It sulks in soggy ground, so in the wet season lift the bed and avoid overwatering, which brings on the powdery mildew and damping-off that thrive in still, humid air. Airflow between plants is your friend here.

The tall, hollow stems flop in coastal wind and heavy rain, so a few twiggy supports or a sheltered position help. A common mistake is sowing dill next to carrots or cucumbers, where it can cause real problems — keep it well clear of both. Otherwise dill is largely trouble-free and even earns its place by drawing the parasitic wasps and hoverflies that prey on caterpillars and aphids elsewhere in the patch.

Dill at a glance

Companion planting

Grows well with

Cabbage: Attracts parasitic wasps that prey on caterpillars

Cabbage: Attracts parasitic wasps that prey on cabbage caterpillars

Keep away from

Carrot: Cross-pollinate and hybridise if both allowed to flower; mature dill stunts carrot growth

Cucumber: Mature dill inhibits cucumber growth

Carrot: Dill and carrot cross-pollinate; mature dill stunts carrot growth

Common questions

When should I plant dill in the subtropics?

Sow direct in March and April, or in July and August, into the cooler shoulder seasons. Dill bolts in summer heat, so avoid the hottest months.

Why does my dill flower so quickly?

Heat and stress push dill to bolt to flower, ending leaf production. Grow it in the cooler months, keep watering steady, and sow small batches in succession for a continuous leaf supply.

Can I grow dill next to my carrots?

No, keep dill well away from carrots and cucumbers. Mature dill can stunt both, and it cross-pollinates with flowering carrots.

How long does dill take to grow?

Seed germinates in 14 to 21 days and leaves are ready to pick in 40 to 60 days, making it one of the quicker herbs.

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