How to grow Tarragon?
- Latin Family: Asteraceae
- Latin Genus: Artemisia
- Ease of Growing: Moderate
- Growing Type: Perennial
This is another important culinary herb, also known as Dragonwort. Tarragon is related to Wormwood
You should always smell and taste a plant before you buy it, to make sure it is a good cultivar. The best type is French Tarragon, which can only be propagated from cuttings, not seed. Russian Tarragon that is propagated from seed is very much inferior.
Videos
Tarragon History
Tarragon is native to a large portion of the Northern Hemisphere, naturalized nearly anywhere it can grow.
Soil Preference
- PH (min/max): 4.9 - 7.8
- PH Ideal (min/max): 6.5 - 7.0
Tarragon likes deep, well-drained, and fairly fertile soil.
How to care for Tarragon?
Tarragon is an undemanding plant that requires little beyond an occasional watering. It may even go dormant in the summer if neglected for too long.
Water
Tarragon is an undemanding plant that requires little beyond an occasional watering.
Fertilizer
Plant tarragon in moderately rich soil.
Seeds
Seed Viability:
Light
Part shade
In very hot climates it will also do well in part shade.
Conditions:Hot
Season:Short Season, Long Season
Sun: min. 6 hours daily
Tarragon prefers full sun.
Conditions:Cold, Cool, Warm
Season:Short Season, Long Season
Storage
Tarragon is best used fresh. The leaves don’t dry very well, but can be frozen to preserve their fresh taste. Pick leaves and put in ice cube tray and cover with water.
Storage Req: Freezer
Storage Temp: 32°F
Storage Length: 1-180 days
Problems
Tarragon Types
- French
- Russian
Tarragon is an important culinary herb. Plants should always be smelled and tasted before purchasing (unless starting from seed) to make sure it is a good cultivar. The best type if French Tarragon which can only be truly propagated from cuttings, not seed.
Russian Tarragon is easier to grow than French Tarragon because it is hardier, more vigorous and can be grown from seed. It is also much inferior in flavor and for this reason it is rarely grown as a culinary herb.
Pests
- Spider Mites
- Thrips
- Leafhoppers
- Aphids
- Whiteflies
- Nematodes
- Slugs and snails
- Deer
Diseases
- Rust
- Downy Mildew
- Fusarium Bulb Rot
- Powdery Mildew
- Root Rot
