Growing Tarragon: French Tarragon for Culinary Excellence

Tarragon is a perennial herb with long, light green leaves and tiny greenish/yellowish-white flowers. For cooking: French tarragon. Russian tarragon resembles French but is coarser, less flavorful.

Planting

• French tarragon cannot grow from seeds. Buy plants or get from friend's garden. Transplant spring or fall.
• Well-drained soil, 2–3 ft apart for growth room. Mature plant covers ~12 inches soil.
• Height 2–3 ft.
• Good companion to most vegetables.

Care

• Prune regularly to prevent flowering, keep height ~2 ft (else falls over).
• Cold climates: mulch late fall to protect roots.
• Divide every 3–4 years (spring/fall). New plants from stem/root cuttings.

Pests and Diseases

• Many rusts (including white rust)
• Downy mildew
• Powdery mildew
• Various fungal leaf/stem diseases

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest regularly. 2–3 plants suffice with regular pruning.
• Best fresh in summer.
• Freeze or dry. Over-drying loses flavor—store airtight immediately when dry.

Recommended Varieties

• French tarragon – meats, poultry, seafood

Wit & Wisdom

Tarragon in shoes before long walk = strength.