Step-by-step instructions for growing dill in a greenhouse all year round
Dill is one of those greens that we enjoy eating all year round. The essential oil contained in the stems, leaves and seeds gives this plant a bright aroma. Fragrant twigs are added to salads, first and second courses, used in winter canned food, frozen, salted and dried. The scented seasoning is good in any form.
Unlike other types of greens, dill is surprisingly unpretentious. In summer, it grows well both in sunny areas and in the shade, and in winter - in greenhouse conditions. In this article we will tell you how to grow dill in a greenhouse, and what nuances you should pay attention to.
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Growing dill in a greenhouse all year round
Growing dill in a greenhouse is not a hassle. In protected ground, it grows even in the harsh Siberian climate... To harvest a rich winter crop, consider the following features:
- when planting dill in a greenhouse or greenhouse in winter, the seeds are buried in the ground by 1.5-2 cm;
- additional crops are carried out every 2-3 weeks to ensure constant new shoots;
- fertilizers are periodically applied to the soil;
- the soil in the greenhouse is regularly moistened and loosened.
Dill is not picky about the soil... Ordinary soil, both sandy and clayey, is suitable for growing. But if you want to grow the spice in large quantities, the soil should be prepared.
Interesting fact. The Russian poet and writer Nikolai Nekrasov loved to season all the soups he ate with dill.
The dill garden is dug up and fertilized with humus in the fall... Mineral fertilizers are applied before sowing. Dill grows well in acid-neutral soil. When planted in alkaline soil, greens are often sick and develop poorly.
Dill in a greenhouse in winter planted in the ground only if the ground does not freeze during the cold months... Otherwise, the seeds are planted in deep boxes filled with earth. Holes are made in the boxes in advance for water drainage.
Important! With insufficient watering, dill begins to bloom. Because of this, the amount of useful greenery on the bush is reduced.
In a greenhouse for dill keep the air temperature not lower than + 15˚С... The soil is regularly moistened. Only warm water is used for irrigation.
Dill refers to light-loving plants... The lack of sun in winter is compensated by artificial lighting. The optimal daylight hours for greenery are at least 12 hours.
For reference. In winter, dill plantings in the greenhouse are supplemented. With a lack of light, the greens will grow pale, the bushes will not be lush.
Suitable varieties
Success largely depends on the correct choice of seed material... It is better to give preference dill varietiesresistant to lack of sunlight.
The varieties bred by Russian breeders are good for greenhouses: Anker, Almaz, Sevastopolsky, Umbrella, Grenadier, Karusel, Preobrazhensky, Hoarfrost, Max, Kutuzovsky. They grow quickly, give a large amount of lush fragrant greenery without unnecessary "bloom".
According to the ripening period dill greens are divided into early ripening, mid-ripening and late-ripening.
Early maturing varieties
Early ripening varieties give the first young greens in 35-45 days after seed germination.True, the bushes of early maturing dill are not as lush as those of late dill. Also, early dill blooms quickly. Umbrellas appear after the formation of 4-6 leaves.
Early dill it is advisable to grow for the first greens in spring, for collecting seeds and canning umbrellas. For cultivation in greenhouses in winter, it is better to choose mid- or late-ripening varieties.
Popular early varieties include Redoubt, Richelieu, Grenadier, Dalny, Gribovsky.
Attention! Early dill forms an inflorescence immediately after stem formation. No more than 4-6 leaves are formed on the bush.
Mid-season varieties
The varieties of this group stem formation occurs 45-50 days after germination... A large amount of greenery is formed on dill bushes - up to 10 leaves.
Important! Mid-season varieties allow you to harvest a solid harvest of greens in a short time.
This groupideal for commercial cultivation dill greens in protected ground. Among mid-ripening varieties, such as Amazon, Abundant-leaved, Umbrella are known.
Late ripening varieties
These varieties are distinguished by a powerful, well leafy rosette.... There are more than ten leaves on the stem. Due to the close location of internodes, late varieties are also called bush varieties.
Important! Late varieties give the maximum yield, but you will have to wait for it from two months or more. From sowing seeds to harvesting the first harvest, 55-75 days pass.
Growing late dill in equipped greenhouses allows harvesting fresh herbs all year round.
Popular late varieties include Buyan, Alligator, Patterns, Kibray, Salute.
The necessary conditions
Before starting to grow dill in a greenhouse in winter, certain conditions are created in it.
The first is temperature. The minimum temperature required for the growth of greenery is + 15˚C, the optimal temperature is + 20˚C. If it gets colder at night, the plants will die.
Advice... Install a thermometer in the greenhouse and check the readings day and night.
Heaters are used to maintain the temperature. This option is suitable for a polycarbonate greenhouse or greenhouse.
More affordable option - periodically water the ground under the boxes with boiling water. In a small building, tanks with hot water are additionally installed. They warm the air well. At night, the greenhouse is covered with insulating material to reduce heat loss.
For rapid growth, dill needs not only heat, but also light.... Culture needs a long day of light. In winter it gets dark earlier and dawns later, so the lighting is artificially extended by 6-7 hours.
The lamps turn on three hours before sunrise and three hours after sunset. The light is used from incandescent or daylight lamps. Lamps are placed at a distance of 50 cm from the plants. A gap of 1 m is maintained between them.
In winter, dill is not grown in open ground. Despite the warming up, the probability of soil freezing in frosts remains. Use boxes with a depth of at least 20 cm. They are filled with soil and placed on shelves or tables. Holes are made at the bottom to drain excess water and ventilate the plant root system.
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Instructions for growing dill in a greenhouse
The technology of growing dill in greenhouse conditions consists of several stages.
Preparatory stage
First step consists in preparing the soil and seed... Dill grows well in fertile light soil. The prepared containers are filled with soil mixed with humus and mineral fertilizers.
The seeds are prepared shortly before sowing. First, they are disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate, then washed in clean water and soaked for several days.
Attention! Dill seeds are covered with a protective layer of essential oil. Soaking before planting weakens it and improves germination.
Correct fit
The prepared boxes are filled with soil. Before sowing seeds, the soil is well moistened and leveled. On the surface of the soil, grooves are made 2 cm deep, keeping 20 cm between rows. The soaked seeds are laid out in them and sprinkled with loose earth, slightly compacting it. The crops are not watered, otherwise the seeds with water will go into the soil deeper than necessary.
Further care
Further care for dill plantings is regular watering, loosening the soil and removing weeds, applying fertilizers.
Sprinkle dill with warm water... Before the first shoots appear, it is important to ensure that the soil does not dry out. After watering, the soil is loosened, simultaneously removing weeds.
When growing dill both indoors and outdoors, it is important not to forget about the timely application of fertilizers. Spicy greens grow quickly, so top dressing is applied during soil preparation or before sowing seeds directly into the grooves. Superphosphate or Nitrofoska is used as a fertilizer.
Possible difficulties
Dill is an unpretentious culture, however, difficulties are possible with it.... They are associated with the defeat of the landings pests and diseases. Let's consider them in more detail, as well as methods of prevention, control and treatment.
Powdery mildew
The cause of the infection is a fungus that spreads in greenhouses due to weeds... It overwinters on plant debris, weeds and wild-growing umbellates.
The first sign of the disease is a white coating that contains spores. In advanced cases, the fungus spreads to all terrestrial parts of the plant. Affected greens lose their taste and aroma.
If a problem is found, the affected parts of the bush are removed... The rest of the plants are sprayed with potassium permanganate, copper-containing preparations or a mixture of antibiotics "Terramycin", "Penicillin" and "Streptomycin" in equal proportions.
Dill rust mushroom
The disease manifests itself as brown-yellow spots.... For prophylaxis, the seeds are soaked in hot water before planting. Then they are cooled in cold water and dried. The disease is treated by spraying with 1% Bordeaux liquid three times a month.
Peronosporosis
The fungus grows on the foliage and stems of dill in a humid, warm environment... The outside of foliage, umbrellas and shoots turns yellow and then darkens. A whitish bloom appears on the reverse side. The disease spreads through infected tops, seeds and weeds.
Peronosporosis is treated by spraying with a 1% solution of colloidal sulfur or a solution of soda and soap (20 g of soap and 25 g of soda per 5 liters of water). As a preventive measure, the beds are sprayed with 1% Bordeaux liquid.
Aphid
These are the main pests of dill.. It helps to fight them spraying with infusions from the tops of tomatoes and potatoes with the addition of laundry soap.
Umbrella moth
In case of damage by umbrella moth, dill is dug up and burned... The pest eats dill seeds, braiding the buds. In preventive measures, wild umbrella plants on which parasites live are removed at the site.
Harvesting and storage
Dill gives excellent seed material... Depending on the cultivated variety, the seeds ripen in July-September. The readiness of the seed harvest is judged by the color of the umbrellas. When they turn brown, dry and harden, begin harvesting.
The inflorescences are cut off, leaving a part of the stem about 10 cm long. The umbrellas are collected in bunches, tied and dried in a dry, dark place. In this case, it is recommended to hang the bundles on the threads with the inflorescences down.
Year-round cultivation of dill in a greenhouse as a business
For owners of one or more greenhouses growing spicy herbs for sale is a good investment option... With the right approach, this type of business brings tangible returns with minimal resource costs.
Successful commercial cultivation of dill due to the following factors:
- fresh herbs are in demand all year round;
- the cost of young greenery is high, from late autumn to early spring;
- the culture is unpretentious;
- dill is resistant to diseases and pests;
- for commercial cultivation, you can use a greenhouse empty in the winter in your own garden;
- minimum investment is required to start a business.
There are many positive aspects. But it's worth evaluating the difficulties... First, cut greens do not last long. Secondly, in winter, plants need to provide additional lighting. And, thirdly, in frosts, the greenhouse needs to be heated.
Conclusion
Dill is a healthy and tasty herb that perfectly complements the taste of different dishes. In winter, the spice is easy to grow in a greenhouse. The main thing is to provide the plants with enough light and warmth. With the right approach, cultivation of dill in greenhouses can be easily turned into a profitable business.