Do you want to know all the details about growing tarragon? If so, then you are in the right place. As here, we will discuss everything about tarragon, whether it’s growing the plant from scratch to its maintenance.
Tarragon is one of the most flavorsome, easy-to-grow, and drought-resistant plants. It is hardy and can be harvested through most of the growing season. A useful thing about growing tarragon is that its fresh leaves have more flavors than its dried version.
It is also strongly aromatic and makes a phenomenal addition to salads, fish, eggs, and chicken dishes. In addition to being a delicious herb, tarragon is easy to maintain. Wondering how to grow the plant? Here’s a brief guide:
Things Required for Growing Tarragon
Before we talk about how to grow tarragon through different methods, let’s learn about some of the basic requirements for its better growth. This includes the following:
Sun: Partly sun, Partly shaded
Water: Alternate days
Soil Type: Sandy, well-drained
Soil pH: Neutral
Bloom time: Summer
Hardiness zone: 4 and above
Humidity: Doesn’t prefer high humidity
Spacing: 12 inches
Others: Herb-growing accessories
Soil for Tarragon
When growing tarragon in your garden, make sure you are using soil that is rich in compost and has a pH of 6.3 to 7.5. You can go for soil types like sandy or loamy, however, it’s best to avoid any sort of heavy soil.
If you do have heavy soil, it’s recommended to reduce the heaviness of the soil by adding sand and well-rotted manure. You can also try improving the texture of the sandy soil by adding some compost. Make sure to grow them in well-drained soil, as if you don’t do so, the roots may rot. Also, the soil temperature should be maintained at 60-70 degrees Farhaneit.
How to Grow Tarragon?
Now that you are aware of all the prerequisites for growing tarragon let’s go to the main part, i.e., growing the tarragon plant. You can grow tarragon from seeds/cutting or in a pot, either indoors or outdoors.
So, before starting the process, make sure you have a sturdy pot along with high-quality tarragon seedlings and fresh cuttings. Also, choose a good spot to put your new plant.
Once you are done with these steps, choose any of the below-mentioned methods for growing tarragon (as per your convenience):
Growing Tarragon from Seeds/Cuttings
To grow tarragon for your herb garden, start by taking the seeds and scattering them all over the soil. It’s recommended not to bury them deeper than 1/8th of an inch. Make sure it gets adequate sunlight for seed germination. Once you see the size of the plants getting bigger, thin each of them for about 18-24 inches. If you are transplanting the plant from indoors, harden the seedlings for about 7-10 days beforehand.
To grow tarragon from cuttings, take your healthy non-flowering sprigs of tarragon that are about 4 to 6 inches long. Strip off the leaves from the lower stem and take about 2 inches of the bare stem. This will be the base for the future roots of your tarragon plant.
Place the sprig in the water with 2 inches of it submerged completely. After some days, you will see the roots sprouting out from the stem. Plant them inside the potting mix and wait for about 6 to 8 weeks so the plant can mature. Take good care for better plant growth.
Growing Tarragon in Pots
To grow tarragon in pots, take a large pot with adequate space to fill in the potting mix. Make sure the pot is thoroughly cleaned and rinsed before adding in the potting mix. After that, put in your seeds or cuttings and water them as required.
Growing Tarragon Indoors and Outdoors
Tarragon can be grown both indoors and outdoors. If you are growing the plant indoors, you just need to give them about 6-8 hours of light. Just make sure you don’t overwater it. For better growth, you can fertilize the herb with a dilution of fish fertilization every two weeks.
As for growing tarragon outdoors, you just need an appropriate spot with full sun. You can also plant tarragon during fall, as that’s the time the weather is cooler and the soil is fertile for its healthy growth.
How to Maintain Tarragon?
Besides growing tarragon, it’s important to maintain the plant so it can thrive better. Here are some tips that you can try:
- Harvest the plant regularly to keep it compact and ensure its healthy growth
- Avoid over-watering and allow good airflow around the plants
- After adding fertilizer, rinse it thoroughly before you use it.
- Replace the plant every 2 to 3 years
- Do not wet the foliage, as it can lead to fungal disease.
That’s it. Hopefully, now you know about the basics of growing and planting tarragon in your home garden.
