🌿 How to Grow Dill Leaves (Suwa) from Seeds
Common Names:

• Hindi: सुंवा / सोया / सुवा (Suwa / Soya)

• Tamil: சதகுப்பை இலை

• Telugu: శోపా ఆకులు

• Malayalam: സതകുപ്പ ഇലകൾ

• Kannada: ಸಸಮಜ್ಜಿಗೆ ಎಲೆ

• English: Dill Leaves

• Botanical name: Anethum graveolens

1. Choose the Right Season

• Cool-season annual herb

• Best time to sow:

  • October to February in India

  • Spring and early autumn in temperate zones

• Ideal temperature: 15°C to 25°C

• Doesn’t do well in extreme heat or frost

2. Prepare the Soil

• Soil Type: Loose, well-draining loamy or sandy soil

• pH Level: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0)

• Enrich with organic compost or vermicompost

• Avoid heavy or clayey soils to prevent root issues

3. Sow the Seeds

• Depth: ¼ inch (0.6 cm) deep

• Spacing:

  • Garden: 6–8 inches between plants, 12 inches between rows

  • Containers: Use 10–12 inch deep pots, sow 4–5 seeds per pot

• No need to soak seeds, but can be done for 4–6 hours to speed up germination

• Cover lightly with soil and mist gently

4. Watering

• Keep soil evenly moist until germination

• Water 2–3 times a week depending on climate

• Avoid overwatering — root rot can occur in soggy soil

5. Germination

• Seeds germinate in 7–14 days

• Thin seedlings after 2–3 weeks, keeping healthiest ones

• Grows a deep taproot, so transplanting is not recommended

6. Sunlight & Temperature

• Needs 4–6 hours of sunlight daily

• Grows well in cool to moderately warm temperatures

• Can tolerate light shade but prefers full sun

7. Fertilization

• Use organic compost or vermicompost every 3 weeks

• Avoid chemical or nitrogen-heavy fertilizers

• Well-fed plants produce more leaves and better flavor

8. Pest Control

• Common pests: Aphids, caterpillars, fungal wilt

• Spray neem oil + soap every 10–15 days as prevention

• Ensure good airflow and avoid water on leaves

9. Harvesting

• Ready for harvest in 40–50 days

• Snip outer leaves as needed, allowing center to grow

• For seeds: let plants bolt and form flowers, dry seed heads for collection

• Leaves are most flavorful before flowering

10. Regrow Tip

• Dill does not regrow once cut heavily or after flowering

• Save seeds from mature flowers for the next sowing

• Direct seeding is best — avoid transplanting

🥗 Health Benefits of Dill Leaves (Suwa)

• Rich in calcium, iron, and antioxidants

• Aids digestion and relieves gas and bloating

• Used in traditional remedies for colic and insomnia

• Supports bone and immune health