How to grow dill with the Paperpot Transplanter
Broadcast-seeded 2″ chains, five rows to the bed, one bunching harvest per planting. Settings, timing, yields and step-by-step notes for paper chain pots.
Paperpot settings for dill
Use 2″ paper chain pots, broadcast 2 tablespoons of seed per tray, and transplant 5 rows on a 30″ bed, 6″ apart. Plan on about 10 trays per 100′ bed.
| Paper chain pot | 2″ |
|---|---|
| In-row spacing | 2″ |
| Rows per 30″ bed | 5 (6″ apart) |
| Trays per 100′ bed | 10 |
| Kwik Klik top plate | None (broadcast) |
| Seeds per cell | Broadcast 2 tbsp per tray |
| Seed per 100′ bed | 132 g (+/-) |
| Cultivars | Hera, Greensleeves |
| Germination | 7-14 days at 70°F |
| Days to transplant | 30 days |
| Days to maturity | 50 days |
| Harvest window | 14 days |
| Harvest unit | Bunch (6-8″ tall) |
| Yield per 100′ bed | 600 bunches |
Bed figures are for a 100′ x 30″ bed. From the Paperpot Co. Growers Notes, developed with farmers Erich Schultz (Steadfast Farm) and Seth Davis. Adjust for your climate and conditions.
Bed preparation
- Broadfork the bed to aerate and loosen the soil.
- Smooth and shape the bed with a bed prep rake, removing any debris.
- If the previous crop was fertilized, dill will do fine without reapplying. If not, either layer on 1″ of compost (enough to mostly cover the native soil) or sprinkle on alfalfa meal and pelleted chicken manure.
- If you layer compost, don’t tilth it in, so surface weed seed stays smothered. If you add amendments, tilth the top 1-2″ to mix them in.
- Irrigate for 10 to 14 days* to germinate weed seed in the top layer of soil, then flame weed once the weed cotyledons are up.
Seeding
- Set a germination tray with 2″ paper chain pots and fill with potting mix.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of dill seed evenly over the whole tray so every cell gets seed. Add more where cells look light.
- Water and germinate at 70°F. Emergence takes 7-14 days.
- Move trays to greenhouse benches once germinated.
Transplanting
- Transplant when seedlings are about 1.25″ tall.
- Water the trays thoroughly before heading to the field.
- Plant five rows of dill with the Paperpot Transplanter: 6″ between rows, 3″ from the outer rows to the bed edge.
- Bury the paper chains well so they don’t dry out.
- New to the transplanter? See the how-to guide and videos.
Bed layout
Irrigation
- Water the bed in thoroughly with overhead irrigation or four lines of drip.
- Frequent, shallow waterings help the roots establish after transplanting.
Cultivation
- 7-14 days after transplanting, cultivate with a flex tine weeder or collinear hoe. Repeat 7-10 days later.
- Dill grows slowly when young, so stay on top of weeds early. A wire weeder lets you work close to the plants.
Harvest
- Dill gives one harvest per planting. Aim for bunches 6-8″ tall.
- Harvest dry if at all possible; wet dill rots in the cooler.
- Rubber-band bunches as you harvest.
Packing
- Avoid washing dill. If you must, spin it and dry it thoroughly.
- Stack fully dry bunches in totes and store at 35-40°F.
*All timing varies with your climate, soil and season.
Suggested tools
| Job | Tool |
|---|---|
| Seeding | Paperpot germination trays, paper chain pots |
| Transplanting | Paperpot Transplanter |
| Aeration | Broadfork |
| Tilthing | Tilther, power harrow or precision depth roller |
| Bed shaping | Bed prep rake |
| Weed control | Flame weeder |
| Cultivation | Collinear hoe, wire weeder or flex tine weeder |
Dill in paper chain pots: FAQ
What paper chain pot do I use for dill?
2″ chains. Plant 5 rows on a 30″ bed, 6″ apart and 3″ in from each edge.
Which Kwik Klik plate?
None. Dill seed is broadcast over the tray. See the seeding steps above.
How long from seeding to harvest?
About 50 days, with 30 days in the greenhouse before transplanting and a harvest window of about 14 days. Timing varies with your climate and season.
Where do I get a Paperpot Transplanter?
The transplanter, paper chain pots, trays and the Kwik Klik Slide are at Modern Grower. Questions? Email hello@moderngrower.co.
Other crops
basil · beets · bunching onions · cabbage · cilantro · fennel · garlic · head lettuce · kohlrabi · leeks · Little Gem lettuce · mesclun mix lettuce · onions · snap peas · salad turnips · spinach · storage radishes · summer crisp lettuce. All crops in one table: the Paperpot growers notes.
Dill growers notes (PDF)
This guide as a two-page printable sheet.
How to use the Paperpot system
Filling, seeding, transplanting and care, with videos.
Skip spacing
Seed every other or every third cell for wider in-row spacing.