Growing Tarragon in the UK
Gourmet Tarragon (Artemisia Dracunculus) is a robust and bushy perennial herb that boasts vigorous growth habits, when compared to traditional French Tarragon. With its highly aromatic leaves, it adds a spicy-sweet flavour to a variety of dishes, including cold meat sauces, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, salads, and salad dressings. It’s also an excellent herb for flavoring vinegar. When fully grown, Gourmet Tarragon reaches a height of approximately 2 feet, making it not only a culinary delight but also an attractive addition to your garden.
How to Plant & Grow Tarragon from Seed
- Soil and Location: Tarragon thrives in well-drained soil and can grow in both sunny and partly shady locations. Choose a spot in your garden that receives ample sunlight but also offers some shade during the day.
- Seed Sowing Advice: Do not cover Tarragon seeds entirely with soil as they require light to germinate. Sow the seeds directly outdoors in the spring, after all danger of frost has passed. Alternatively, start seeds indoors to get a head start on the growing season. Maintain a germination temperature of 59-68°F (15-20°C) for optimal growth.
- Seed Spacing and Planting Depth: Space the plants or thin seedlings to about 12 inches apart to ensure enough room for growth. Since these seeds need light to germinate, simply press them onto the surface of the soil without covering them.
- Starting Indoors: If growing tarragon seeds in pots or containers indoors, transplant the seedlings outdoors when they are large enough to handle, maintaining the recommended spacing. Place in a sunny location, behind glass maintaining temperatures between 15-20 degrees celsius
Harvesting Tarragon, Ensuring Continuous Growth
- Timing: Begin harvesting Tarragon leaves once the plant has established itself and is about 6 inches tall. This usually occurs a few weeks after transplanting or when sown directly outdoors, depending on the growth conditions.
- Frequency: Regular harvesting encourages new growth, making the plant bushier and more productive. You can harvest Tarragon leaves as needed throughout the growing season.
- Harvesting Method: Use clean, sharp scissors or garden shears to snip off the top few inches of the Tarragon branches. Always leave at least half of the branch on the plant to ensure it can continue to grow.
- Amount: Avoid harvesting more than one-third of the plant at a time. This practice ensures that the plant remains healthy and can recover more quickly, leading to more growth and subsequent harvests.
- Care After Harvesting: After harvesting, water your Tarragon plant if the soil feels dry. This helps the plant recover and encourages new growth. Apply a balanced, liquid fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season to provide additional nutrients and support robust growth.
- Pruning: Periodically prune any woody stems or dead foliage to keep your Tarragon plant healthy and focused on producing fresh, aromatic leaves.
