AllotMe
GROWING GUIDES
Tarragon
Herbs
Moderate
Planting Schedule
Month by month
Sow Indoors
Sow Outdoors
Plant Out
Harvest
Sow Seeds Indoors
French tarragon cannot be grown from seed — buy plants. Russian tarragon can be seed-sown but has inferior flavour.
Outdoors
Plant French tarragon from April to May in a warm, sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained soil.
Harvest
Pick sprigs from May to October. Pinch regularly to keep plants bushy. Best flavour in fresh young growth.
Month by month
Sow Indoors
Sow Outdoors
Plant Out
Harvest
How to Sow
- Buy French tarragon plants (Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa) — never Russian tarragon which tastes of very little
- Plant in a warm, sunny position with well-drained soil
- Space 45cm apart
- Add grit to heavy soils to improve drainage
- Can be grown in containers using a gritty compost mix
Plant Care
- Water sparingly — tarragon prefers dry conditions and will rot in waterlogged soil
- Protect from hard frost in winter with a thick mulch of straw or fleece
- Cut back to ground level in autumn
- Divide clumps every 2-3 years in spring to maintain vigour
- In cold northern areas, grow in a container and bring under cover for winter
AllotMe’s Tips
- French tarragon is one of the finest culinary herbs — essential for béarnaise sauce, chicken tarragon, and French cooking
- Always check you're buying French tarragon, not Russian — crush a leaf and taste it. French has a distinctive anise flavour; Russian tastes bland
- Tarragon vinegar is easy to make: push sprigs into a bottle of white wine vinegar and leave for 2 weeks. Brilliant in dressings
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