Tarragon

Artemisia Dracunculus, dracunculus meaning little dragon, is a perennial herb with long, narrow leaves and tiny greenish-white flowers that attracts pollinating insects. Tarragon is a member of the Asteraceae family and known for it’s distinct flavour.

Difficulty: Easy

Soil: Well-draining sandy soil .

Sowing: Seeds can be started indoors in the spring.

Germination: 7-14 days

Days to Flower/maturity: 120-180 days

Position: Full sun

Spacing: 45×45 cm apart

Sow Depth: 4 mm deep

Height: 40-90 cm

Growing notes:

Tarragon is best sown indoors, do not cover the seeds and sow sparingly as tarragon needs plenty of room to grow. If sowing outdoors it is best to wait until late spring. Once they’re well rooted and growing strongly they can be planted outside in a warm sheltered location in full sun, in well-drained soil. Tarragon is fully hardy and robust in colder locations, and copes well in dry conditions too. Keep in a warm, bright spot and water sparingly once established as tarragon needs little maintenance, only to pinch off the flowers throughout summer to enhance flavor and promote bushier growth. Protect tarragon from heavy rain in the winter as the roots can rot in the cold, by placing mulch under the plant to protect the roots.

Uses:

Primarily a culinary herb best known for it’s inclusion in Hollandaise and Béarnaise Sauce. Tarragon has been used to treat pain for a long time in traditional folk and medicine and contains the nutrients manganese, iron and potassium. It is also a fantastic ornamental for its foliage and fragrance .

Origin:

Tarragon is native to parts of southern and eastern Russia, Afghanistan and Mongolia

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