The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Growing => Herbs => Topic started by: chairmanphil on April 26, 2012, 08:47:52 am

Title: tarragon?
Post by: chairmanphil on April 26, 2012, 08:47:52 am
what are the likes and dislikes of tarragon? seem to remember it doesn't like too rich a soil.
Title: Re: tarragon?
Post by: Eve on April 26, 2012, 10:02:15 am
I sowed some into a vegetable trug filled with compost last year (our garden soil is very heavy clay with flint).
It came up allright, though it might have done better in a separate pot with better drainage. It got swamped by the chamomile before I knew it so it didn't really have the best chance  ::)

Tarragon + chicken =  :yum:
Title: Re: tarragon?
Post by: Fleecewife on April 26, 2012, 11:35:56 am
There are two types of Tarragon - French and Russian. The French is the best flavour but can only be propagated by rooting, not by seed.   The Russian is much easier to grow but is a coarser taste.  I have only grown the French but it doesn't seem to like very cold winters as it eventually disappeared.  I am making a new herb garden so will try again and will read others tips on here with hope  ;D
Title: Re: tarragon?
Post by: chairmanphil on April 26, 2012, 11:41:05 am
I sowed some into a vegetable trug filled with compost last year (our garden soil is very heavy clay with flint).
It came up allright, though it might have done better in a separate pot with better drainage. It got swamped by the chamomile before I knew it so it didn't really have the best chance  ::)

Tarragon + chicken =  :yum:

i do chicken with homemade tarragon mayo sandwich. everyone goes wild for it. i had some in the garden and it was doing very well until last spring. it was so dry here everything suffered and it would seem to have done for the tarragon. when i buy it from the wholesaler it is just not the same, think it is russian tarragon which is not french tarragon. so i have just brought 6 plugs of tarragon roots and i'm going to plant in various locations in the plot and after doing some reading this morning i am going to pot them up first in compost and let them recover before doing battle with the rabbits.

oh btw tarragon and mustard go very well together, made for each other!
Title: Re: tarragon?
Post by: Bionic on April 26, 2012, 11:42:10 am
All of this is making my mouth water.  Looks like I am going to have to get myself some French tarragon

Sally
Title: Re: tarragon?
Post by: chairmanphil on April 26, 2012, 11:44:04 am
i find the same mayo goes very well with seafood too!
Title: Re: tarragon?
Post by: Lesley Silvester on April 27, 2012, 06:13:01 pm
 :yum: :yum:
Title: Re: tarragon?
Post by: chairmanphil on April 27, 2012, 08:30:40 pm
:yum: :yum:

i put the recipe up in recipes strangely enough!

i also put my little tarragon babies into compost and into a cool part of the greenhouse.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: tarragon?
Post by: goosepimple on April 27, 2012, 08:33:48 pm
I once made someone a pasta meal with tarragon - it was about 20 years ago and they still thank me to this day for introducing them to tarragon  :D
Title: Re: tarragon?
Post by: chairmanphil on April 27, 2012, 08:37:27 pm
I once made someone a pasta meal with tarragon - it was about 20 years ago and they still thank me to this day for introducing them to tarragon  :D

such a great taste, goes very well with basil in a salsa verde too!
Title: Re: tarragon?
Post by: Plantoid on April 27, 2012, 09:40:45 pm
Judging by the posts ,it looks like we made a good choice to buy the Russian tarrgon yesterday ..

 Can you usually get the french one easily or do you have to go to specialists for rooted cuttings ?
Title: Re: tarragon?
Post by: chairmanphil on April 27, 2012, 10:17:23 pm
Judging by the posts ,it looks like we made a good choice to buy the Russian tarrgon yesterday ..

 Can you usually get the french one easily or do you have to go to specialists for rooted cuttings ?

type in french tarragon on ebay and away ya go. got 6 plugs for £5.00 i think!
Title: Re: tarragon?
Post by: NickiWilliams on June 04, 2012, 03:44:08 pm
Tarragon is not just for meat, its great with most meaty fish! If you add it to a home made tomato sauce then prepare to be amazed!! You don't need much though, its quite powerful!!
Title: Re: tarragon?
Post by: chairmanphil on June 04, 2012, 08:36:55 pm
Tarragon is not just for meat, its great with most meaty fish! If you add it to a home made tomato sauce then prepare to be amazed!! You don't need much though, its quite powerful!!


i find it works very well with aubergines.
Title: Re: tarragon?
Post by: northfifeduckling on June 26, 2012, 09:30:16 am
I make pesto from it, sometimes mixed with Rocket leaves and lots of garlic. the leaves are quite spicy and a nice addition to a herb salad.
I would not grow it in soil again, thoug, it's very invasive and I just can't throw anything away  ::) . We have Russian Tarragon. It seems very happy here in quite poor heavy soil  ;D :&>
Title: Re: tarragon?
Post by: chairmanphil on June 28, 2012, 01:07:01 am
loving it in salsa verde!
Title: Re: tarragon?
Post by: FiB on June 28, 2012, 09:04:33 am
I bought a pot of french tarragon from jekkas herbs last year and it looks like I have been lucky (re the winter) as it is just starting to pop up again (I think June is the new April, here in Bala!).  Its in very poor clayish/stoney soil in a water feature sump that smashed holes in the bottom off and filled with field soil. Will take some root cuttings and put in the greenhouse this winter following all the above advice, thanks.
Title: Re: tarragon?
Post by: chairmanphil on June 28, 2012, 09:11:59 am
is that Bala in Wales where the railway is? tried to get on that train 3 times and failed each time! once by about 3 minutes. hahahaha  :D
Title: Re: tarragon?
Post by: FiB on June 28, 2012, 09:16:39 am
If it was a lakeside steam railway then yes - thats here!  Pop in and visit next time you try!!!
Title: Re: tarragon?
Post by: chairmanphil on June 28, 2012, 09:20:40 am
If it was a lakeside steam railway then yes - thats here!  Pop in and visit next time you try!!!


will do, will need something to do when i miss the train again. at least i know it doesn't run on a tuesday now.  ;)