Mammoth Dill
Lathyrus odoratus
Large 2" blossoms in bright, clear colors of red, purple, mauve, pink, blue, and white. Blooms over a long period with exceptional fragrance. Can be spelled either as sweet pea or sweetpea. Attracts hummingbirds.
Harvest
90d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
3-8 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Mammoth Dill in USDA Zone 7
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Mammoth Dill · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – May | June – July | — | July – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – July | — | July – October |
| Zone 5 | March – April | May – June | — | June – October |
| Zone 6 | March – April | May – June | — | June – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – June | — | June – November |
| Zone 8 | February – March | April – May | — | May – December |
| Zone 9 | January – February | March – April | — | April – December |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – April | — | April – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: High Organic Matter. Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 3 feet-6 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Type: Legume.
Bloom time: Spring, Summer
Edibility: Sweet pea fruits are inedible and poisonous to humans.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh dill fronds stay crisp for 7-10 days when stored like cut flowers – trim stems and place in water in the refrigerator, covering loosely with a plastic bag. For longer storage, wrap clean, dry fronds in damp paper towels and refrigerate in sealed containers for up to 2 weeks.
Freeze fresh dill by chopping and packing into ice cube trays with water or olive oil – perfect for adding to soups and stews. Alternatively, freeze whole sprigs in freezer bags for up to 6 months, though texture becomes soft upon thawing.
Dry dill seeds by hanging cut seed heads upside down in paper bags in a warm, dry location. Seeds are fully dry when they crack rather than bend when pressed. Store dried seeds in airtight containers for up to 2 years. The abundant seed production of mammoth dill makes it excellent for sharing with fellow gardeners or saving for next season's planting.
History & Origin
Origin: Southern Italy, Sicily, Crete
Advantages
- +Attracts: Butterflies
- +Edible: Sweet pea fruits are inedible and poisonous to humans.
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Seeds): Low severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Cabbage
Dill repels cabbage worms and other brassica pests
Tomatoes
Dill attracts beneficial insects that control tomato hornworms and aphids
Cucumbers
Dill repels cucumber beetles and attracts pollinators
Lettuce
Dill provides light shade and repels aphids that attack lettuce
Onions
Onions repel dill's pest insects while dill attracts beneficial predators
Broccoli
Dill attracts wasps that parasitize cabbage worms and aphids
Brussels Sprouts
Dill deters cabbage loopers and imported cabbage worms
Corn
Dill attracts beneficial insects that control corn earworm and aphids
Keep Apart
Carrots
Can stunt carrot growth and may cross-pollinate with wild carrots
Fennel
Both are umbellifers that compete for resources and may cross-pollinate
Cilantro
May bolt prematurely when grown near mature dill plants
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #172233)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Generally disease resistant, avoid overhead watering
Common Pests
Aphids, carrot rust fly, parsley worm
Diseases
Damping off, bacterial leaf spot, powdery mildew