🌿 How to Grow Tarragon from Seeds
Common Names:

• Hindi: तारागोन

• Tamil: டாராகான்

• Telugu: టారాగాన్

• Malayalam: ടാരഗൺ

• Kannada: ಟ್ಯಾರಗಾನ್

• English: Tarragon

• Botanical name: Artemisia dracunculus
  (Note: French Tarragon is usually propagated by cuttings. Russian Tarragon grows well from seed.)

1. Choose the Right Season

• Cool to mild-season perennial herb

• Best time to sow:

  • October to February in India

  • Early spring in temperate climates

• Ideal temperature: 15°C to 25°C

• Prefers cooler weather for germination

2. Prepare the Soil

• Soil Type: Light, well-draining, slightly sandy soil

• pH Level: Neutral to slightly alkaline (6.5–7.5)

• Enrich soil with compost or aged manure

• Avoid heavy, wet, or clay soils

3. Sow the Seeds

• Depth: Surface sow or press lightly (do not bury deeply)

• Spacing:

  • Garden: 12–18 inches between plants

  • Containers: Use 8–10 inch pots, sow 4–6 seeds per pot

• Mist lightly after sowing

• Seeds are very fine — sow thinly and evenly

4. Watering

• Keep soil lightly moist until germination

• After germination, water only when topsoil is dry

• Drought-tolerant once established

• Avoid overwatering — sensitive to root rot

5. Germination

• Seeds germinate in 10–14 days

• Requires warmth and light to sprout

• Thin seedlings after 2–3 weeks, leaving healthiest ones

6. Sunlight & Temperature

• Needs 6–8 hours of sunlight daily

• Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade

• Grows well in cool, dry climates

7. Fertilization

• Apply compost or organic liquid fertilizer every 4–6 weeks

• Avoid heavy feeding — too much fertilizer reduces flavor

• Moderate feeding promotes healthy, aromatic leaves

8. Pest Control

• Common pests: Aphids, spider mites, root rot (from overwatering)

• Spray neem oil + soap every 10–15 days if pests appear

• Ensure good airflow and dry soil between waterings

9. Harvesting

• Ready for harvest in 60–75 days

• Snip young shoots and leaves regularly for best flavor

• Harvest in the morning when essential oils are strongest

• Avoid cutting more than ⅓ of the plant at once

10. Regrow Tip

• Can be propagated by root division or softwood cuttings

• Perennial in mild climates — regrows year after year

• Allow a few flowers to seed for saving or reseeding

• Trim back before flowering to prolong leaf production

🥗 Health Benefits of Tarragon

• Aids digestion and improves appetite

• Contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds

• May help regulate blood sugar and relieve insomnia

• Traditionally used for toothaches and mild pain relief