Dill varieties: variety of varieties, characteristics and differences
Dill is a popular herb. The properties and characteristics of this culture allow it to be used not only for preparing a large number of culinary dishes. It finds application both in folk medicine and in cosmetology. Therefore, this spicy culture can be found in almost all household plots in different climatic regions, as well as in greenhouses and on the windowsills of multi-storey buildings.
The wide popularity of dill prompted breeders to develop new varieties of spices with improved properties and taste. On the shelves of grocery stores and supermarkets, you can find a large amount of greens of this type, and specialized outlets offer their customers a wide selection of high-quality seeds of different varieties. Before buying, you must carefully study the properties of the product and its characteristics. Only the right planting material and proper care for it will allow you to collect a quality crop in the required quantity.
general characteristics
Dill is a fragrant annual plant used to prepare not only culinary dishes, but also medicines. Culture is not long-term, universal. Use not only dark green leaves, but also stems, seeds and roots.
The most favorable climate for growing this crop is warm, humid and sunny, and the best soil is fertile and loose.
With a lack of moisture, the plant withers and leaves turn yellow. The culture responds positively to additional watering, the application of mineral and organic fertilizers. Creating comfortable conditions for the growth and development of spices will favorably affect the quantity and quality of the harvested crop.
Dill is recognized as a useful plant. Its medicinal properties have a positive effect on the digestive system and nervous system, normalize blood pressure and heal the body.
Professional breeders have bred a large number of varieties of this crop, which have different properties, descriptions and functional purposes. Before sowing the selected variety of dill, it is necessary to determine the purpose of its cultivation. There are several options for the appointment of spicy culture:
- obtaining green mass;
- preparation of marinades;
- collection of seeds.
On the shelves of specialized stores there are several types of spices:
- early;
- average;
- late.
Early varieties are grown for a spring green crop. Medium ones involve the collection of greenery and young inflorescences for preservation. Late ones are intended for growing green mass without re-sowing in the summer. Growing several types of dill with different ripening periods on a personal plot will make it possible to harvest from early spring to the last month of autumn.
Early
Getting early dill greens to create spring holiday salads is the main task of many gardeners. Planting early-ripening varieties can be carried out not only in early spring, but also in late autumn.An advantage is an early harvest. The disadvantages are the rapid appearance of inflorescences and a small amount of green mass. The most popular representatives of this type of spice are several varieties.
- "Grenadier" - a universal bushy type of dill, the collection of greens of which can be carried out 30 days after sowing throughout the entire growing season.
- Gribovsky - the most common species for regions with a temperate climate. You can grow a plant not only in open ground, but also in greenhouses and greenhouses. This variety has powerful bright green leaves over 20 cm high and a rich aroma. The variety has a high percentage of yield. The culture is not only unpretentious, but also has a high resistance to various types of diseases.
- "Further" - a high-yielding variety used to obtain a large amount of greenery not only in private household plots, but also in specialized fields. Greens are used for drying, freezing, conservation, as well as for mass sale in retail chains. A distinctive feature is a characteristic plaque on the leaves.
- "Umbrella" - a very early variety, the planting of seeds of which can be carried out after the snow cover has melted. The first harvest occurs in early May. The last harvest is carried out 80 days after sowing.
- "Redoubt" - a compact plant, the collection of greens of which is carried out 40 days after sowing. The culture has a high taste and rich aroma.
- "Vologda lace" - an early-ripening type of bush dill, grown for an early harvest. This type has a universal purpose and a high percentage of productivity.
Mid-season
The average group of plants forms up to ten powerful leaves in one node, growing in turn. This allows you to extend the time of harvesting a fresh crop. The best representatives of the mid-season and abundant-leaved category of dill are several varieties.
- "Umbrella" - a powerful hybrid with a stem height of up to two meters. The leaves are green and large, the diameter of the inflorescence can reach 15 cm. There can be more than 30 flowers in one umbrella. One bush can give up to 20 g of green mass.
- "Amazon" - Productive abundant-leaved type of spice. The number of leaves on one plant is more than 15 pieces, the total commercial weight is up to 40 g. The peculiarity of the variety is the raised rosette shape, which prevents dirt from getting on the leaves during watering or rain.
- "Kibray" - a popular variety in regions with low temperatures and frequent frosts. Harvesting takes place 60 days after sowing seeds. The height of the leaves reaches 45 cm. More than 4 kg of crop can be obtained from one square meter.
Sowing can be carried out in late autumn, but be sure to cover the early greens with special material.
- "Max" - unpretentious and compact plant. Sowing seeds is carried out during the period of warming up the soil to 10 degrees or more. The first shoots can be seen after 10 days. One square meter of crops yields 3 kg of crop. The collected greens have a pleasant aroma and delicate taste.
- "Richelieu" - a powerful plant up to 130 cm high. The variety has high not only culinary, but also decorative indicators. The leaves are very beautiful, "openwork". Seeds can be planted from early spring to late autumn.
- "Russian size" - an annual plant with a powerful rosette and a spreading bush. The culture is used for fresh consumption, has pronounced aromatic properties.The height of the stem reaches one meter.
- "Hercules" - high-yielding species used for mass cultivation for sale. Unpretentiousness and disease resistance allow you to collect a high percentage of green mass. This variety is significantly superior in size and yield to other varieties of dill.
- "Lesnogorodsky" - medium-early variety with delicate and fragrant greens. The advantages include the preservation of the presentation of greens for a long period of time.
Late
For winter harvesting, experienced gardeners recommend planting late varieties of dill. These types have a number of undeniable advantages:
- long harvest period;
- high percentage of vitamins;
- late formation of umbrellas;
- juicy greens.
Representatives of this species are three popular varieties.
- "Alligator" - the most popular variety planted for greenery. The height of the leaves is more than 30 cm. This species is resistant to the formation of inflorescences, harvesting can be done several times. When creating favorable conditions, more than 100 g of fragrant greens can be collected from one bush.
- "Frost" - a very tall plant. This type is the most popular for drying and freezing. With long-term storage, it retains its properties and spicy smell.
- "Ataman" - a universal plant that gives a lot of greenery. This species has a wide range of applications and is a very popular variety.
Which one to choose for landing?
Choosing the right variety for planting is a crucial stage that affects the yield. Positive reviews have the best varieties of dill listed in the State Register. It should be borne in mind that each variety has its own individual qualities that must be taken into account when planting a spicy crop.
To obtain fragrant greens with a high content of essential oils, you should pay attention to varieties such as Alligator, Hoarfrost, Amazon, Kutuzovsky, Grenadier, Redoubt. They will delight with high-quality greens throughout the summer period and will retain their aroma as much as possible not only fresh, but also after drying or freezing.
Many gardeners try to choose those varieties of dill in which the minimum number of umbrellas ripens. When inflorescences appear, the greens become rough, hard and non-aromatic, which negatively affects its taste. Breeders have not yet bred varieties that do not form flower stalks. Therefore, experienced gardeners recommend choosing those varieties of crops that have late maturation of inflorescences. Prominent representatives of this group are "Mischievous", "Alligator", "Hoarfrost", "Dill".
For growing on a windowsill, it is better to give preference to such productive varieties as Grenadier, Richelieu and Kibray. Any of these species will allow you to harvest a good crop of greenery even at home.
How to collect?
Compliance with the rules when collecting greens will help preserve the aroma and properties of a useful crop. The collection of green mass should be carried out 35 days after the appearance of the first shoots, when the height of the plants reaches more than 20 cm. To collect fragrant and healthy dill, experienced gardeners recommend using special tools - garden shears or pruners.
Before cutting the dill, it must be poured with plenty of water. Work should be carried out carefully, trying not to damage the root system of the plant.
If you cut the spice incorrectly and damage the roots, you may not get the next crop of green mass. You need to cut the stems at a distance of about 2 cm from the surface of the earth.
The collected plants must be washed under cold water and dried in a ventilated and protected from sunlight room. They can not only be consumed fresh, but also dried, frozen, used to prepare blanks for the winter.
For an overview of dill varieties, see the following video.