French Tarragon

Set French tarragon in a sunny, sheltered pocket where drainage is dependable, rather than at the low end of a bed or beside a frequently irrigated crop. A raised herb bed, gravelly border edge, or roomy container suits its preference for dry, airy root conditions. Place it along the accessible side of a path so stems can be harvested without stepping into the bed. It can share a productive garden area with eggplant, cabbage, peppers, or tomatoes while remaining on its own watering rhythm.^[1][2]

Plant French tarragon 18 inches apart, center to center. Each clump can reach about 2 feet wide, so let neighboring plants overlap only where a loose herb planting is intended; otherwise, reserve a little open air around the stems. In rows, use the spacing to maintain a reachable strip for harvesting and spring division. Its 2½-foot height places it behind lower herbs or along a bed edge that will not shade smaller plants.

Give it full sun and soil that drains quickly after rain or irrigation. Once established, allow the root zone to dry between waterings rather than maintaining steady moisture. Avoid heavy or saturated ground, especially where winter water lingers, because poor drainage can weaken the planting and reduce overwintering success. Low to moderate fertility and a well-aerated planting area help keep the clump compact and workable.^[1][2][3]

Plant or divide in spring as new shoots begin, then keep a clear route to the clump for repeated harvests through early fall. Division every two to four years helps renew a vigorous planting, so avoid boxing it into a tightly planted permanent border. After frost ends top growth, winter protection can be useful in colder or wetter gardens; in spring, cut back old stems as growth resumes.^[1][2]