Meet the neighbours · herb
Dill
Self-seeding but best resown yearly — a lacy, 3-foot-tall herb that loves to stand among cucumbers.
Dill is the tall, airy neighbour that waves above the cucumbers. It self-seeds, but Cindy resows it yearly for a reliable crop and broadcasts it among other plants so the wind doesn't flatten it.
Keep dill away from carrots — mature dill can stunt carrot growth. It should also be kept separate from tomatoes and peppers once mature, as it can hinder their growth too. On the other hand, dill is a great companion for corn, cucumbers, lettuce, and onions, and its scent attracts beneficial predatory insects that help protect the whole garden.
How to grow it
- Grows about 3 feet tall; broadcast it among other plants for wind stability.
- Resow yearly for reliability, even though it self-seeds.
- Pick green 'dill weed' almost daily through the season.
How to use & eat it
- Buttermilk Dill Dressing: puree 2 cups fresh dill with 1/2 cup buttermilk; add 1/2 cup chopped chives or onion and puree again; add 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp sugar and puree once more. For a vegetable dip, beat in softened cream cheese a tablespoon at a time.
- Freeze extra dill in a container and scrape out portions with a fork as needed all winter.
- Seed tea is traditionally used to soothe digestive upset and colicky babies.
Makes friends with
Companion planting is just good neighbouring — these do better beside Dill.
Cucumber
Cook with it
- Homemade Greek SpanakopitaA savory Greek spinach pie with crispy phyllo layers, taught to Cindy by a family friend and made with whatever fresh garden greens are on hand.
- Refrigerator Dilly BeansSharp, garlicky, and ready in three days — no canner required.
Other neighbours
- SorrelOften called 'Lemon Sorrel' for its bright, gently lemony flavour — prized in both European and Asian cooking.