Welcome to
The Maple Hill Hop.
This is a hop for folks who love the outdoors.
Feel free to post about anything that's going on
OUTSIDE
in your neck of the woods,
no matter the season.
no matter the season.
(Please share only outdoor posts.)
*Please link back to Maple Hill 101.*
This weekend on The Hill, we planted dill.
Here's what we used to get the job done.
The seeds in the jar were harvested from last season's crop.
We filled 30 small pots with Lynn's marvelous mixture.
Dill is one of the necessary ingredients in the Pickled Okra recipe
and is sold at the farmer's market as well.
A generous sprinkling of the dill seed was added to the pots.
Here's Lynn's twist on things.
We used a paintbrush to coax the seeds into the moist soil.
These seeds need very little coverage,
and this gives them the best start.
Not all the seeds get incorporated,
but that's not a problem.
The pot to the left has been brushed, the one on the right has not.
Once they are watered in, germination will quickly take place.
The seeded pots are placed in a sunny spot in the garden.
This weekend on The Hill, we planted dill.
Here's what we used to get the job done.
The seeds in the jar were harvested from last season's crop.
We filled 30 small pots with Lynn's marvelous mixture.
Dill is one of the necessary ingredients in the Pickled Okra recipe
and is sold at the farmer's market as well.
A generous sprinkling of the dill seed was added to the pots.
Here's Lynn's twist on things.
We used a paintbrush to coax the seeds into the moist soil.
These seeds need very little coverage,
and this gives them the best start.
Not all the seeds get incorporated,
but that's not a problem.
The pot to the left has been brushed, the one on the right has not.
Once they are watered in, germination will quickly take place.
The seeded pots are placed in a sunny spot in the garden.
In a matter of days, we expect these to start popping up.
Crops grow up to 6 feet tall, so give them space in the garden.
They will furnish an abundance of usable leaves for dressings, pickling, salads and sauces.
When they go to seed at summer's end,
you will be provided with a burst of yellow buds.
They remind me of a fireworks show!
 |
| dried dill |
Let them dry on the stem and then they are ready for harvest.
Back on my homestead,
we grow dill to provide food for black swallowtail caterpillars.
See the tiny yellow eggs?
It is one of the host plants for this species.
Whatever reason suits you, try growing this effortless and generous plant.
I'd love to hear what's happening where you are!
HOP to it!
I never tire of planting seeds . . . any kind of seeds! And to see that first seed emerge ~ still magic after all these years.
ReplyDeleteI love that you grow dill for the butterflies. I was pretty successful attracting them with parsley last year, but we love parsley. I think I'll try dill this time around (as we don't like dill). :-)
I feel the same way. It is so fascinating to see a tiny seed develop into a beautiful plant that you can eat! So glad you stopped by. The parsley will work too!
DeleteMmmmmm....I can just smell that dill!!! of course, it will be another 4 months before any will be growing in these parts, so I'll just enjoy your beautiful posts and photos! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope spring comes early to you this year. I know you so enjoy your garden.
DeleteWe have never tried growing dill before, but are seriously contemplating it this year. Your pictures are lovely and very inspiring!
ReplyDeleteI bet you'll have great success!
DeleteThank you for inviting me to the link up :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you could make it! ;0)
Delete