Grass tarragon (tarragon): planting and care in the open field and at home

Modern gardeners grow various crops, as well as vegetables and fruits. However, some of them produce useful herbs and shrubs on their plots. One of the varieties of useful plants is tarragon grass, planting it will be considered in detail here, as well as the subsequent care and use of the nutritional composition that many associate with green sparkling water.

Brief description of tarragon

This type of plant looks like an ordinary grass, but it differs from it in that it contains a large amount of vitamins in its composition. Consider the main features of tarragon:

Tarragon in Russia is widespread in the Middle Strip, as well as in the southern regions.
This type of grass does not require special care, because of which it can grow even in difficult climatic conditions.
Tarragon has a pleasant light aroma that cannot be compared with other similar plants.
Tarragon contains a rich composition of vitamins and nutrients.
This type of herb is widely used in traditional medicine recipes.
Also, tarragon is actively used in the preparation of various culinary delicacies.

Growing grass does not require regular care, as the plant is strong and develops quietly without human intervention.

Despite the fact that this crop grows easily on its own, in order to increase the yield, timely care is required, as well as adherence to the rules of planting and subsequent harvest.

Which varieties to choose

When choosing a particular variety of this herb, you should rely on a number of points. Consider the main nuances when choosing tarragon:

first of all, it is required to take into account the climatic features of the region where this plant will be grown;
it is important to take into account the required amount of crop that will be harvested after ripening;
it is also important to decide on the area that will be available for growing this plant;
it is important to determine the possible time that will be spent on regular grass care;
because the shrub is tall, it needs a place where there is no strong and gusty wind.

The best options for the Middle Band are the following varieties of tarragon: Goodwin, Monarch or Zhelubinsky Semko. If you plan to grow this plant in the harsh climate of the northern regions, then a traditional semi-shrub is perfect.

There is also a division of this plant into species: Russian tarragon, French varieties (for cooking), ordinary tarragon (has an unpleasant aroma that repels insects and pests).

Also, when choosing a variety, it is important to determine the need for plant propagation. Among the abundance of varieties, there are options that are best suited for this purpose, for example, Gribovsky tarragon 31, from which, on average, up to 30 shoots can be collected per season.

Methods of reproduction

To propagate this variety of shrub, breeders use various options, namely:

germinating the plant with seeds (the longest propagation option, since the grass does not grow as fast);
increasing the number of semi-shrubs by propagation by cuttings;
propagation of this plant by layering (you need to collect young and strong stems from a formed shrub);
cultivating tarragon by dividing the rhizome (in practice, this method is used for adult plants).

Most often this kind of shrub reproduces with the help of the root system, since this part of the plant has the strongest structure.

When breeding tarragon, you need to carefully monitor its age, since only young, strong specimens lend themselves well to breeding.

Dividing the bush

Here we are talking about reproduction due to cut stems. As a rule, this is done in the spring, when young stems, no older than two years, are carefully cut, and then placed in a shallow ditch and sprinkled with soil.

It is also required to make small cuts at the bottom of the stem, which will speed up the development process. After planting, it is recommended to constantly keep the soil moist so that the planted stem is strong and gives roots.

Cutting

Toward the end of May, it is necessary to cut cuttings from mature adult bushes. These processes should have a length, on average, 15 centimeters. First, you need to lower the plant into a special solution that will allow you to form a new root system. After a day, the cutting is removed from the solution and transplanted into the prepared soil (a mixture of sand and ordinary moist soil 1: 1 is used here).

When disembarking, the part that has stood in the solution for a day is deepened by 4-5 centimeters. In order for the seedling to germinate, it is necessary to regularly keep the soil moist. After one month, you can plant the shoot in open ground.

Sprouting seeds

In order to germinate tarragon, you need to start sowing seeds in early March. For seedlings, metal pots or plastic containers are used.Here, a light composition of the soil is taken, which passes and retains moisture well. After sowing seeds, the soil is constantly kept moist.

Further, when summer comes (beginning of June), tarragon is planted in open soil. Here it is required to plant two shoots in one hole, which will allow the young shrub to develop and form faster.

Crop planting dates

Let's consider the main periods of time when it is required to plant this plant:

in the Moscow region and throughout the Middle Strip, it is required to start preparing crops in the spring;
seeds are planted in prepared containers in early March, and then kept in a warm room on the windowsill;
it is required to plant seedlings in the ground no earlier than the beginning of June, when there is warming;
for the southern regions it is allowed to sow seeds immediately in open ground, this is done in late April or early May;
cuttings or cuttings also begin to be prepared in the spring (landing in open ground begins at the end of May).

Special attention, when growing tarragon, is given to soil moisture, as the plant loves water, the soil must be constantly kept moist.

In the northern regions, this crop is planted at the onset of a warm period of time, as young plants may not withstand exposure to low temperatures.

Growing tarragon seeds in the open field

This method of growing shrubs in the country, as a rule, is used in the southern regions. Consider the main points to pay attention to:

before planting, you need to insist the seeds in warm water for one day to moisten them;
seeds are planted in open ground where there is the greatest amount of sunlight;
after planting, it is required to regularly keep the soil moist (water every day);
landing takes place in late April or early May, when the average daily temperature exceeds 15 degrees.

So that young seedlings do not catch sudden frosts, it is recommended to monitor the weather and, if necessary, cover the beds where tarragon seeds germinate.

Planting seeds in open ground is available only for the southern regions, since in the Middle Strip or in the North almost all seedlings can die and then not sprout.

Environmental requirements of tarragon

Despite the fact that young plants are quite demanding, mature shrubs do not need regular care. Good grass development requires the following:

rainfall abundance;
no prolonged drought;
presence of sunlight;
no strong gusty wind.

If such conditions are present, the shrub will begin to develop rapidly, and in addition, it will be able to grow for decades.

When growing tarragon, it is not recommended to combine it with other crops, since the grass root system tends to absorb all the useful components of the soil, while it spreads over long distances.

Preparing the site for planting

Before planting seedlings in open soil, it needs to be prepared. This event includes the following algorithm of actions:

the soil is dug up and thoroughly loosened;
previously required to improve the soil with fertilizer;
recommended, before planting, to feed the soil with nutrient compounds;
be sure to moisten the soil before planting;
eliminate all waste present in the soil;
holes are prepared immediately before transplanting seedlings.

Exclusively after these events, you can start sowing seedlings.

Immediately after planting the tarragon in the ground, it needs to be watered (it is not recommended to loosen the soil after that).

Sowing tarragon seeds

Before planting seeds, you need to prepare for this procedure. Consider the main preparatory activities:

pre-prepared container that does not let water through;
loose soil is selected;
next you need to fertilize the soil;
prepare small holes;
seeds are soaked overnight in warm water.

After these events, the seeds of the plant are planted and then watered.

When growing tarragon, it is necessary to constantly keep the soil moist (this applies to young immature seedlings, as well as unsprouted seeds).

Planting tarragon seedlings

You can plant a shrub on the site when the air temperature exceeds 15 degrees, while the soil warms up. The following recommendations are required here:

preparing the ground;
optimal transfer time is calculated;
young sprouts are planted two per hole;
the soil is watered.

After the seedlings are transplanted into the ground, loosening the soil is not required, it is only necessary to regularly free it from the formed weeds (this does not happen often).

Growing tarragon at home

This kind of culture can be grown at home. Just be aware that tarragon has a strong aroma. To plant and stably breed a plant at home, the following is required:

prepare a small container for seedlings;
prepare a large container for the subsequent cultivation of seedlings;
make room on the windowsill;
fertilize the soil with natural fertilizer;
plant the seeds in a small container.

As the seedlings rise, they can be moved to a larger container. The plant needs to be watered regularly. In addition, other plants should not be kept nearby.

When breeding this culture at home, it is recommended to select strong young shoots every 5 years (more often) and replace old overgrown bushes with them.

Caring for outdoor plants

Agricultural technology for growing tarragon implies regular care for young semi-shrubs. The following recommendations are followed here:

For a shrub to grow strong and strong, you need to take care of it regularly;
watering the plant regularly (the soil should not be dry);
occasional need to use top dressing;
prepare the plant for winter in time;
collect grass in time and prepare it for the winter;
prevent diseases.

Following all these recommendations, you can keep a plant on your site for a long time, which will bring a harvest of herbs rich in vitamins and nutrients every season.

When taking care of the plant, you need to be guided by the advice of experienced gardeners so as not to harm the crop.

Irrigation

Tarragon is a moisture-loving plant. That is why, when growing it, it is required to regularly moisten the soil. It is not allowed for the shrub to be in drought for a long time, otherwise the plant quickly begins to fade.In the absence of precipitation, watering is carried out 2-3 times a week.

Feeding

This type of plant loves nutrients, which is why it develops a large root system. That is why it is not recommended to plant other crops closer than two meters. Also, don't plant herbs close to trees.

Feeding the soil is done in autumn. To do this, use compositions enriched with minerals and phosphorus. Also, before direct planting, the soil is fertilized with compost.

Preparing for winter

Adult tarragon freely tolerates exposure to low temperatures, which is why it is not required to prepare it separately. It is only necessary to remove diseased, dry and weakened stems from the bush so that the plant can better endure the winter season. Also, young shrubs need to be covered (age up to 3 years).

Diseases and pests

Despite the fact that the plant repels pests with its aroma, some preventive measures are necessary. Periodically, the shrub is sprayed with bioinsecticides (insect protection). In addition, protection against diseases involves periodically spraying the shrub with herbal infusions (chamomile, yarrow).

Collecting and harvesting grass

Collect and harvest grass with the following recommendations:

In the first year, the harvest is only harvested in autumn.
In subsequent years, greens may be cut throughout the summer.
Harvesting must be completed before flowering.
After the grass needs to be dried.

If necessary, cut greens are placed in the refrigerator (if used in cooking). For the purposes of traditional medicine, the herb is dried and stored at home.

Young tarragon bushes have a high yield. Usually, up to two kilograms of odorous grass can be cut from one square meter.