Herb Seeds: Dill, Mammoth Long Island

Flavorful dill produces edible seeds and leaves, which are used to season salad dressings, pickles and cooked meats and vegetables. Two popular varieties, “Bouquet” and “Mammoth,” also called “Long Island Mammoth,” have similar growing requirements and do well in home gardens. Although both varieties produce flavorful seeds and leaves, they look slightly different and are best suited for different uses.

“Bouquet” dill usually grows to about 36 inches tall, although it may reach up to 5 feet tall in optimum conditions. “Mammoth” grows to a minimum of 30 inches, but it more typically tops out at 4 to 6 feet tall. Although “Mammoth” is usually the taller variety, “Bouquet” often produces larger seeds, but "Mammoth" has larger flower umbels, or flower clusters. The foliage of both varieties is similar, featuring the thin, lacy leaves common to dill.

The large seed heads of the “Mammoth” variety dwarf the smaller “Bouquet” seed heads, but both are productive. Each of the varieties is prized for its fresh use and use as a pickling spice. "Bouquet" is generally grown for its use in pickling, although it also can be used as a cooking herb. The later developing "Mammoth" is used for pickling, fresh use and as a dried herb. "Mammoth" can produce up to 1 cup of seeds per flower head, making it more productive than "Bouquet."

“Mammoth” is a late bloomer compared to “Bouquet.” “Mammoth” requires 70 days in prime growing conditions until its first harvest while "Bouquet" seeds can be ready for harvest in as little as 55 days. Both varieties are planted into the garden at the same time in late spring after the danger of frost has passed, or in late summer for a winter crop in mild areas. Although “Bouquet” flowers and sets seed sooner, you can begin harvesting a few leaves from “Mammoth” even before it begins to flower.

Heirloom
Non-GMO

Anethum graveolens

Approximate seed count- 200 seeds