Questions on dill weed.

[Carlyblue]

I have a patch of dill along the side of my house. I would like to dry the leaves and the seeds. I have no idea how or when it's the proper time of year to do this. Right now, the dill is flowering. Do each of the heads of blossums go to seed? Do I then collect the seeds? Do I need to dry the seeds? When should I dry the leaves? What method is best? Help!!!!!!!!

Carlyblue

 

[Charlie]

In the late summer (or fall here) the dill seed will turn brown and fall off in gobs when you either grab it, or shake it onto a cloth.

We dry some while it is still green for use in soups, etc.

We have it growing all over our garden and it reseeds itself every year.

You do have to clean it as some bugs, spiders, etc. will be in the mix.

Same thing for fennel seed. Ummmmmmm with pork ribs and kraut.

Does anybody have a good method to sift, sort and clean it?

 

[Deemy]

For the asparagus looking fern part of the dill cut off and freeze...yummy in your butter(let butter get to room temp and add the ferny part by cutting into fine bits into the butter and cream with spoon. Easy and tasty on toast or fish). I put the stalks with the dill seeds into a paper bag and give a good shake. The mature seeds will fall off and then add the stalk to the compost pile. If you let any seeds stalks in the garden you'll have dill all through the garden..I like the dill in my flower bed as it adds a nice willowy touch the the flower bed.

 

[Annmarie]

we cut off and freeze the ferny leaves too - tastes much better than dried. When I need it I just pull a handfull out of the freezer bag and put the rest back. Works real well.

 

[Tweakette]

Harvest the leaves just before the plant starts to flower (foliage is better then) then dry or freeze.

If you want the seeds, let the plant go to seed and you'll see the seeds develop green then turn brown and fall off. Cut the umbels (seed heads) off when the seeds are brown but before they've fallen off, then put in a paper bag to finish drying. Whack the bag a few times and pour the seeds out.

Tweak