Dill: My Love-Hate Herb

Dill has been a true rollercoaster in my urban patch. From the very beginning, it brought so much joy – and so many smoked salmon sandwiches. But not all stories have a happy ending. Here is the story of my recent dill-icious misadventures, in 6 parts.

Part 1: Tiny Beginnings

These lush seedlings were bursting with promise. Delicate, bright green, and full of potential, I couldn’t wait to sprinkle them over my breakfasts and lunches. My dill journey had officially begun!

A small blue planter containing fresh dill growing in a garden setting, with wooden flooring and mulch visible in the background.

Part 2: Reaching for the Sun

They settled in beautifully, sending up feathery fronds that seemed to reach for the sun. I was already daydreaming of smoked salmon bagels and scrambled eggs topped with fresh dill.

A close-up view of a dill plant growing in a blue pot, set on a wooden deck, with red chairs visible in the background.

Part 3: Undeniably Dill-licious

Then came the glory days. The dill grew tall, bushy, and abundant, practically bursting from its pots with feathery green goodness. I couldn’t believe how generous it was – every meal seemed to call for more fronds. Smoked salmon sandwiches, creamy scrambled eggs, dill-studded pasta…you name it, and my dill was there, elevating every dish. I felt a little like a proud parent, watching it flourish and knowing that my patch had given me something truly special.

A lush dill plant growing in a blue ceramic pot, surrounded by mulch and set against a wooden fence.

Part 4: Peak Abundance

At its peak, I almost felt guilty for how generous it was. Every meal felt elevated – I couldn’t help but marvel at this little herb pot’s generosity. Simple salads felt gourmet, my sandwiches were verdant masterpieces, and I felt like the happiest gardener in Brunswick.

A healthy dill plant growing in a blue pot on a wooden deck, showcasing its feathery green fronds.

Part 5: A Bit of a Pickle

But nothing lasts forever. Tiny aphids began appearing on stems and leaves, a persistent and unwelcome invasion. At first, I thought I could manage them- rinsing, spraying, trying every trick I knew – but the horde grew faster than I could keep up. My lush fronds began to go limp and pale, and the patch that had been so dill-lightful now felt fragile. I realised this love affair was about to get complicated.

A thriving dill plant in a blue pot situated on a wooden deck, with patio chairs in the background, and a watering can nearby.

Part 6: A Dill-icious Tragedy

Eventually, the aphids won. The once-proud fronds wilted and sagged under their relentless attack, leaving the patch and my sandwiches a shadow of their former selves. And yet, even in defeat, there was a lesson: gardening isn’t about perfection, it’s about seasons, surprises, and the fleeting moments of abundance that make all the effort worthwhile. Dill or no dill, I’ll be ready to fall in love all over again when new seedlings arrive.

A lush dill plant in a blue pot sits on a wooden deck, surrounded by mulch and a red object in the background.

The Urban Patch