Startup costs

Startup costs are low. Seed, bed prep, irrigation, and basic bunching supplies are the primary needs. Wash-pack is simple, though gentle handling helps preserve appearance. Protected culture can extend the season but is not always necessary.

Ongoing costs

Ongoing costs include repeated seeding, weed control, harvest, bunching, and cooling. Labor is moderate, especially when succession planting is needed to maintain tender stems. Inputs are usually modest, but bolting can create waste.

Yield & how it sells

Dill is sold by bunch, bag, or sometimes as flower heads or seed heads for specialty uses. It can be productive over short cycles, but quality changes quickly as plants mature. Value per area is best when harvest timing matches market need.

What makes it profitable

Dill is typically a moderate-margin herb crop. It sells best at farmers markets, CSA shares, and local retail during pickling season, and can also work with restaurants. It is usually a complementary herb rather than a top revenue crop across the whole season.

Financial risks

Risks include fast bolting in heat, narrow timing for prime bunch quality, and fluctuating demand outside peak pickling periods. Delicate foliage can lose visual appeal quickly. Overplanting can leave growers with product that ages out fast.

Tips to improve returns

Plant successions around expected market windows, especially if local customers preserve food seasonally. Offer both leafy bunches and mature flowering stems if your buyers use both. Consult your local Cooperative Extension and Small Business Development Center to budget succession timing, bunch labor, and seasonal demand swings.

General planning information, not financial or investment advice, and not a guarantee of profit. For real budgets, work with your Cooperative Extension office and local Small Business Development Center. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.