Tarragon

Planting tarragon

Plant divisions or nursery starts of French tarragon in spring. Seed sold as tarragon is usually the milder Russian type, which has less flavor.

Planting details

• Choose French tarragon for cooking; Russian types are weaker
• Spacing: 18 to 24 inches
• Propagate by division, not seed

Growing requirements

Tarragon likes full sun to light shade and light, well-drained soil. It resents wet feet and heavy feeding, which dilute its anise-like flavor.

Harvesting and care

Harvest sprigs through summer; fresh leaves beat dried ones by a wide margin. Divide clumps every 3 to 4 years in spring to keep them vigorous.

Common mistakes

• Growing from seed labeled tarragon, which usually yields bland Russian tarragon
• Rich or wet soil, which weakens flavor and rots roots
• Heavy fall pruning, which can reduce winter survival in cold zones

Companion plants

Tarragon fits beside other dry-tolerant herbs and needs no special neighbors. Its own space in a lean bed serves it best.