Growing Tarragon: A Complete Guide -Growing, Planting, Care and Harvesting-

Tarragon, known as estragon, is a popular French herb with an anise or licorice flavor that goes well with shellfish, eggs, poultry, and tomatoes. It’s also incredibly hardy—cold-resistant, heat-resistant, and drought-tolerant—making it an excellent choice for first-time gardeners. They grow really well outdoors as well as indoors, on a kitchen window. The best time to plant is after the final frost of the spring in early April. You may wish to begin young winters indoors before transferring them to the garden if the winters are very severe in your region. Tarragon is a herb that lasts forever, and in winter, it will die but will revive in spring. You may plant Tarragon once in your winter and see it re-grow every spring if your winter is over -10° Fahrenheit. There are three types of Tarragon available in the market:

• French Tarragon
• Russian Tarragon
• Mexican Tarragon

How to Plant Tarragon

• French Tarragon may be grown in full sun or moderate shade. Tarragon thrives in sandy loam that drains well. It can withstand poor, practically dry soil. It has a hard time growing in cold, damp, or compacted soil. The pH of the soil should be between 6.0 and 7.3 for French Tarragon to thrive. Tarragon grows poorly in acidic soil.
• It is impossible to cultivate French Tarragon from seed. The seed of French Tarragon is infertile. Only divisions or cuttings can be used to grow French Tarragon. 6- to 8-inch stem cuttings should be rooted in wet sand. Allow for a four-week period for the stems to root. Root divisions will sprout into new plants.
• Cuttings or divisions of French Tarragon started inside can be put into the garden a week or two after the final spring frost. Summer and fall are good times to replant cuttings and divisions. Cuttings taken in the late summer or fall should be kept indoors until April. If covered with a thick layer of mulch, established plants may survive harsh winters outside.
• Planting root divisions at a depth of rooted subterranean nodes is recommended. Plants should be spaced 18 to 24 inches apart, and rows should be 24 to 36 inches apart. Grow one plant of French Tarragon per family for culinary use and two to three plants for canning. Almost all vegetables grow well with French Tarragon, and it is thought to help other vegetables grow faster. Tarragon may be planted with tomatoes and potatoes.

Growing Requirements for Tarragon

Tarragon isn’t the prettiest herb, but it’s tasty, easy to cultivate, robust, and drought-resistant. Because French Tarragon produces sterile blooms, it cannot be grown from seed. You’ll need to buy a young plant for a cutting. Planting in the early spring can help assure the greatest flavor, and in warmer areas, keeping your Tarragon out of direct sunlight is ideal. In addition, you’ll need to choose sandy soil. Unlike many other plants, French Tarragon dislikes direct sunlight in warmer regions. If you don’t live in a particularly hot climate, full sun is good; otherwise, choose a location that will only offer partial or early morning sun. This plant thrives in warm temperatures rather than scorching heat. Tarragon isn’t fond of rainy weather. It’s a drought-resistant plant that thrives in well-drained, sandy, light soil. Poor growth, rotting roots, and diminished flavor will come from rich, acidic, wet soil. The amount of water you give your Tarragon depends on the weather and the plant’s age. If you’re having a lengthy period of hot, dry weather, water your young Tarragon on alternate days. Tarragon that has reached maturity, on the other hand, should be fine with a modest watering every few days. These plants may survive in dry soil, but be careful not to overwater them since this can reduce their growth and taste intensity. Tarragon can live without much water, but if it is allowed to dry out too much, it can stunt the growth of the leaves. This resilient plant is unconcerned about the temperature. If there is a cold spell, it will continue to grow. The primary issue is that Tarragon dislikes direct sunlight and does not thrive in excessive humidity. In really cold climates, it’s essential to mulch the plant in the winter to protect the roots while it dies back and enters dormancy. Tarragon does not require fertilizer to thrive. When it’s cultivated in low-nutrient soil, it produces the greatest flavor. If you’re going to use any, choose an all-purpose type just during the first planting stage.

How to Care for Tarragon

• In the summer, plants in the ground are unlikely to require much, if any, watering, although in extremely light, quick-draining soils, irrigation may be required during extended dry spells.
• During the summer, give your plants one or two gentle feedings using liquid plant food.
• Remove any blooms that emerge to ensure a steady supply of tasty leaves.
• In the winter, plants will die down to the ground level. Because French Tarragon is not entirely cold-resistant, it may require winter protection such as a cloche, fleece, or straw. When the plant has withered down during the winter, transfer it to a protected location – even a shed or garage – if it is grown in pots.

Harvesting Tarragon

To begin with, there is no set a date for harvesting tarragon. As previously said, you may start collecting the leaves as soon as the plant is able to support itself. You’ll never be able to deplete the entire plant. Always leave at least a third of the Tarragon’s leaves on the plant. However, you should wait until the plant has grown to a certain size before attempting to hack at it. Also, instead of using your fingers, always use kitchen shears or something like that. The tarragon leaves are fragile, and if you handle them with your hands, you will likely bruise them. The fragrant oils of the Tarragon are released when it bruises, which you don’t want to happen until you’re going to use it. Snip off the newer infant light green leaf shoots. On the old woody branches of the Tarragon, fresh growth appears. After removing the shoots, rinse them with cold water and gently pat them dry.