Planting tarragon: location, sowing & companion plants
If you want to grow tarragon in your garden as an aromatic culinary herb, it is important to choose a good spot and become familiar with tarragon’s growing conditions and care requirements before planting.
Every garden has a suitable spot for growing the perennial tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus). Tarragon can be grown in a pot on balconies and terraces as well as in a garden bed, however, the requirements vary depending on the variety. Read on to find out all of the necessary information on planting tarragon.
Contents
Where to grow tarragon
Tarragon, also known as estragon, prefers a sunny spot protected from wind. A moist, yet well-draining, and moderately nutritious soil is ideal for this perennial herb. That said, it can also cope with partial shade, and occasional dryness does not bother it, as long as it does not dry out completely. However, waterlogging should be avoided at all costs. If your garden soil is clayey, loosen it with plenty of sand or another material that promotes drainage. A soil that is rich in nutrients promotes more leaf growth but also hampers aroma development. Not to worry though, the lush and less fragrant tarragon can still be used as a spring vegetable. If, on the other hand, you suspect the soil lacks nutrients, an occasional fertilisation is a good idea. Our Plantura Liquid Houseplant Food is a good fit. It contains little nitrogen and more potassium to enable aroma development and ensure winter hardiness.
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What can you plant next to tarragon? Tarragon companion plants certainly have an effect on the growth of this perennial herb in the Asteraceae family. For example, lovage (Levisticum officinale) and marjoram (Origanum majorana) are good companion plants, but tarragon does not get on well with dill (Anethum graveolens) nor parsley (Petroselinum crispum).
Sowing tarragon seeds
Only Russian tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus var. inodora) can be propagated by generative propagation, i.e., sowing. French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus var. sativus), on the other hand, is propagated by vegetative propagation, such as cuttings or division.
When growing Russian tarragon from seed, start the seeds indoors in March. The young plants can then be planted outdoors from May onwards. Frosts do pose a threat, so it is best to wait until the end of April to sow the seeds directly in the bed outdoors.
Cuttings and runners are often propagated later in spring, ideally in May. However, rooting tarragon cuttings in summer is not so easy. The tarragon plant is also divided in May every two to three years.
Planting tarragon
Depending on whether you are planting your tarragon seedlings in a pot or in a bed, there are certain things to consider. These are explained below.
Growing tarragon in pots
In general, a good time to plant this aromatic herb is from mid-April to early May. Be sure to use a sufficiently large pot so that it has enough soil available. This ensures that the substrate does not dry out too quickly and that necessary nutrients are available longer. To prevent waterlogging, choose a pot with a hole in the bottom so that excess water can drain out. Add a layer of gravel or crushed shards of clay to the bottom of the pot to further prevent waterlogging.
Tarragon needs a humus and nutrient-rich substrate with a slightly alkaline to neutral pH value. Our Plantura Organic All Purpose Compost meets the brief and provides the herb with sufficient nutrients for about the first two months. We also recommend mixing 30% coarse material, such as sand or expanded clay, into the substrate.
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Once planted, feed tarragon every four to six weeks with a liquid fertiliser such as our easy-to-use Plantura Liquid Houseplant Food. The microorganisms in our fertiliser ensure that the phosphorus in the substrate is used optimally, which aids in the conservation of the earth’s precious phosphorus resources.
Tip: If you fertilise your tarragon more often, it will develop more leaves but less aroma. This is not necessarily bad, but it may change how you use your tarragon.
Planting tarragon in the garden
Plant tarragon directly in the garden bed from mid-April to early May. Tarragon prefers a sandy soil that is loamy or rich in humus. If the soil is not permeable enough, mix in some sand or another coarse material, as mentioned above.
Two tarragon plants will provide more than enough tarragon for cooking and the alike. Before planting, place the young plants, including their containers, in a bucket of water to soak the root balls. To prepare the intended planting site, loosen the soil using a digging fork or garden hoe. Next, dig the holes, leaving 30 x 40 centimetres between the plants. Make sure the planting hole is twice the size of the root ball. Plant the young tarragon plants at the same depth as they were in their previous containers. To ensure a balanced supply of nutrients, mix the dug-up soil with a high-quality potting compost such as our Plantura Organic All Purpose Compost - fill in the rest of the hole with this mixture, pressing down firmly. Our improved substrate ensures balance at your tarragon’s roots by introducing organic material.
