French tarragon
An aromatic perennial herb for sauces; true French tarragon is grown from plants.
French tarragon (Young plant)
£3.99 in the shop
Calendar
Sow
Spring from rooted plants or divisions
Plant out
Give sharp drainage and winter protection; trim shoots regularly.
Harvest
May–September
Conditions
Sun
Full sun, 6-8 hours a day
Water
Tolerant of drought once established; water sparingly, allow soil to dry between waterings
Soil
Well-drained, sandy-loamy soil, pH 6.0–7.0
Spacing
60-90cm (2-3 feet) apart
Containers
Excellent in large pots (30cm+ diameter) to protect from winter cold
Indoors
Can be overwintered indoors in a bright, cool spot in colder regions
Care and harvest
Feeding
Very little needed; a light balanced feed in spring if growth is poor
Pruning
Lightly prune after flowering to maintain shape; avoid cutting into old wood
Harvesting
Give sharp drainage and winter protection; trim shoots regularly.
Storage
Keep in a plastic bag in the fridge for a week, or dry/freeze sprigs
Good companions: Cabbage, Beans, Carrots