History
Bouquet Dill is the most widely grown and beloved heirloom dill variety in American gardens — a compact, prolific, and intensely aromatic strain that has been the go-to dill for home gardeners and pickle makers for generations. Named for its large, showy flower heads that resemble a bouquet, this variety was developed to produce an abundance of both flavorful foliage and large seed heads in a compact, manageable plant. Bouquet Dill became the standard dill variety for home pickling operations across the country, prized for its strong dill flavor, generous seed production, and reliable performance in a wide range of climates. Open-pollinated and non-GMO, it remains the benchmark heirloom dill for gardeners who want the full dill experience — fresh fronds for cooking and abundant seed heads for pickling.
Plant Profile
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Days to Maturity: 40–60 days to fresh fronds; 70–90 days to seed heads
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Plant Size: Compact, upright plants 2–3 feet tall
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Flower Heads: Large, flat yellow umbels 6–8 inches across — excellent for pickling
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Plant Type: Open-pollinated, non-GMO heirloom annual
Flavor Profile
Bouquet Dill delivers the bold, classic dill flavor that home cooks and pickle makers crave — bright, grassy, and slightly anise-like with a clean, fresh aroma that fills the kitchen and the garden. The feathery fronds are intensely aromatic and flavorful at every stage, from tender young growth to mature seed heads. The seeds carry a concentrated, warm dill flavor that is essential for authentic dill pickles.
Growth Type & Harvest Yields
Bouquet Dill is a fast-growing, compact annual that produces abundantly from a small footprint. Successive sowings every 2–3 weeks ensure a continuous supply of fresh fronds throughout the season. A single planting of 10–15 plants will provide ample fresh dill for cooking and enough seed heads for a season of pickling.
Disease Resistance
- Generally trouble-free — one of the easiest and most disease-resistant herbs to grow
- Susceptible to aphids — treat with a strong water spray or insecticidal soap
- Attracts black swallowtail butterfly caterpillars — plant extra to share with pollinators
- Tip: Avoid planting near fennel — the two cross-pollinate and produce inferior flavor in both
Growing Tips & Planting Dimensions
- Spacing: 12–18 inches between plants, or broadcast sow and thin to 6 inches
- Sow depth: ¼ inch deep
- Germination: 7–14 days at soil temps of 60–70°F
- Full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
- Direct sow preferred — dill has a taproot and does not transplant well
- Successive sowings every 2–3 weeks extend the harvest season significantly
When to Plant
Direct sow in spring after frost danger passes and soil temperature reaches 60°F. Dill does not transplant well — direct sow preferred. Find your frost dates and hardiness zone at the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Companion Plants & Mutual Benefits
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Cucumbers — the classic pairing; dill attracts beneficial insects that prey on cucumber pests
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Cabbage & Brassicas — dill attracts wasps that parasitize cabbage worms
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Onions — mutually beneficial companions
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Avoid planting near: fennel, carrots, and mature tomatoes
How to Enjoy
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Dill Pickles: Pack cucumbers with fresh dill heads, garlic, and brine for authentic homemade pickles
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Fresh Herb: Chop fronds and add to potato salad, egg salad, and cucumber salad
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Salmon & Seafood: The perfect pairing — use in marinades, sauces, and as a garnish
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Dill Butter: Blend with softened butter for a compound butter that elevates vegetables and fish
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Tzatziki & Dips: Essential in tzatziki, ranch dressing, and creamy herb dips
Why Gardeners Love Bouquet Dill
- The benchmark heirloom dill — compact plants, abundant fronds, large seed heads for pickling
- Fast-growing — fresh fronds ready in as little as 40 days from sowing
- Large, showy flower heads essential for authentic dill pickles
- Open-pollinated and non-GMO — save your own seeds year after year
- Self-sows readily — plant once and enjoy dill in the same spot for years
Harvest Tips
- Harvest fresh fronds anytime once plants are 8–10 inches tall
- For pickling, harvest seed heads when flowers have faded and seeds are just beginning to form
- For dried seeds, allow heads to fully mature and turn brown, then hang upside down in a paper bag
- Store fresh dill in a glass of water in the refrigerator for up to 1 week
Order Today
Add Bouquet Dill Seeds to your herb garden this season and grow the classic heirloom dill that delivers bold flavor for cooking and perfect seed heads for pickling. Choose your pack size and begin to grow.
