Appreciated since antiquity for its aromatic and medicinal properties, tarragon continues to captivate gardeners and cooking enthusiasts alike. This perennial herb, an essential staple of herb gardens, flavors sauces, fish, poultry, and homemade vinegars. But to fully enjoy its flavors, you need to know how to grow it properly.
Whether grown in the ground or in a pot, watering, care, harvest, and storage: here’s everything you need to know to succeed with tarragon in the garden or on a balcony.
Planting Tarragon: The Comprehensive Guide
Tarragon, also known as “dragon herb” in reference to its Latin name Artemisia dracunculus, is a highly valued culinary herb in gardens and herb spirals. There are mainly two varieties: French tarragon, very fragrant and used in cooking, and Russian tarragon, tougher but noticeably less flavorful.
Planting Tarragon in the Ground
Tarragon is a plant that isn’t overly forgiving of its growing conditions. This perennial shrub can reach about 30 to 48 inches in height when well established. It favors sunny, warm spots sheltered from the wind.
However, the most important factor remains soil drainage. Tarragon fears standing moisture, which can quickly rot its roots. A light, sandy soil or soil enriched with a bit of gravel will suit it perfectly.
Planting is ideally done in the spring, after the last frosts, when temperatures stabilize. Space the plants about 20 inches apart to allow ample air to circulate around the plant.
Growing Tarragon on a Balcony
Tarragon also grows very well in pots or window boxes. Choose a container at least 10 to 12 inches in diameter to allow good root development.
Place the pot at the bottom with clay pebbles, gravel, or broken pottery shards to improve drainage. Then use a light, well-draining potting mix formulated for herbs.
On a balcony, position tarragon in a bright spot, but avoid overly windy exposures. With good care, it can quickly reach nearly 4 feet tall.
How to Care for a Tarragon Plant
Tarragon is a fairly hardy plant once established, but it remains sensitive to overwatering. Moderate watering is essential. In the ground, regular rains often suffice, except during periods of severe drought. In pots, monitor the soil more closely as it dries out more quickly.
The right balance is simple: soil that is lightly cool and evenly moist, but never soggy.
In the fall, you can prune the stems to about 4 inches from the soil to encourage vigorous regrowth the following spring. A thick mulch will also help the plant better withstand winter cold, especially in regions with harsh winters.
Tarragon tends to lose vigor after a few years. It is therefore recommended to divide clumps or take cuttings every 3–4 years to renew the plants.
Harvesting Tarragon
Tarragon leaves can be harvested from spring through early fall. However, they develop their most intense fragrance just before the midsummer bloom.
To preserve full flavor, harvest the young shoots in the morning when the essential oils are most concentrated.
How to Preserve Tarragon
Tarragon can be preserved in several ways. Drying remains the classic method, although freezing often helps retain its aroma better.
To dry it, harvest the leaves before flowering, then let them dry in a dry, airy place away from direct sunlight.
Once completely dry, store them in an airtight container kept away from light and moisture.
You can also chop fresh leaves and freeze them in an ice tray with a little water or olive oil so you can easily use them in cooking all year round.
