Hello. I'm new here. I've read that French Tarragon is only grown from starter plants and not seeds. I can't find any in local nurseries (only Mexican & Russian).

Does anyone near Silver Spring or Rockville Md have a large plant of French Tarragon that they'd be willing to separate a clump of French Tarragon for me to have?

Thx,
David

David!

You're right about french tarragon not being seed-grown. I think tarragon is similar to rosemary and lavender, with the plants branching out from a central stem -- not something that's easy to separate, although you could try cuttings. I could be wrong about how tarragon grows.

I wonder if it's fallen out of fashion or something... I didn't see any at Black Creek when we were there this spring, and they have darn near everything.

Check out the spring swap thread at the top of the forum! We're getting together this coming Saturday at Terri's beautiful place near Lucketts, VA.

I looked in the database, and while tarragon does seem to grow from a central spot, this photo makes it look like you could pin down some of the longer stems to propagate by layering... shove the lowest part of the stem down into the soil, keep it moist, separate it from the mother plant when it gets some roots.

I like tarragon too, and found a starter once, but failed, this was years ago. I don't remember seeing them either.
https://extension.usu.edu/yard...:

I had it in my garden years ago but made the mistake of mulching it over the winter, and I think it got too wet. Tarragon HATES wet feet, even more than other herbs I think.

David!

I found French tarragon at Seasons Nursery. I asked Cindy, the person that orders the herbs, and she said it isn't winter hardy around here. The plant database here says it's good to zone 5. I guess I'll find out.

The database also says that it likes a dry environment and tolerates poor soil. I have the perfect spot!

It wasn't hardy for me, have tried it a couple of times. It might be that we aren't quite warm enough and also not quite cold enough... Some things start growing during those January warm spells and then get kicked in the face when it gets down to single digits in February.

or maybe our winters are too soggy- cold plus soggy seems fatal to certain plants, where cold and dry can be tolerated- so I've read.

Soggy is fatal to tarragon, even in summer, so that makes sense.

I have a great patch of Oregano 'Hot & Spicy' and some creeping thymes in my mini raised beds (outlined with large rocks, up against the outer edge of the 3 boulders around the back patio). Extra drainage might help, although overwintering herbs in pots seems to be hit or miss.

Saw tarragon in the Chef Jeff's herb and veg assortment today at nursery. Rather limp looking thing.

@DavidGardener @sallyg

I'm going to try to have a few small starts of French tarragon in the fall swap.

I finished moving and rebuilding one of my stone walls last weekend. I'm hoping to get the tarragon and rosemary planted there tomorrow.

Rick, are you going to try bringing a start or two inside, in case they are not hardy for you?

Probably. I'm going to try covering the plants outside with a mini greenhouse of sorts. They'll be protected from the cold winds and excessive moisture from the snow, if we get any. They'll still get some moisture from the unprotected surrounding soil.

Good idea. Even a milk jug with the bottom removed and cap off should give protection from the wind, and leaving the cap off will keep them from cooking (or even coming out of winter dormancy) during milder sunny days.

Registration is OPEN for the Fall 2023 swap!

@DavidGardener

Season's has received their first shipment of spring herbs. Just in time for another cold snap.

They come in 2" and 4" pots. The prices are $3.49 each, $39.99 for 18 and $99.00 for 32.

This shipment includes:

French Tarragon
Basil, Large Leaf
Basil, Thai (?)
Mint, Spearmint
Mint, Apple
Mint, Chocolate
Mint, Mojito
Mint, Peppermint
Oregano, Greek
Oregano, Italian
Parsley, Curled Leaf
Parsley, Flat Leaf
Sweet Woodruff
Thyme, English
Thyme, Lemon
Thyme, Lime

I saw "tarragon" on a label when we were browsing little herb plants at the Leesburg garden festival... grabbed it, brought it home, and thought, "how odd, it seems to be getting little yellow blooms." Turns out it's "Texas Tarragon" aka "Mexican Tarragon." It's edible, but I wonder how it will taste as a substitute for french tarragon? I guess I can add it to a scrambled egg and see...